Taranaki.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 220, 31 January 1861, Page 3

Taranaki.

The Tyne arrived here on Sunday morning, having left Taranaki on Tuesday evening, the 22nd inst. On her way up the natives were observed fortifying themselves on the Waireka hill, and information of this having been given to the authorities, the Tasmanian Maid was sent dowaft on Monday to ascertain its correctness, On Tuesday 160 men of the 65th ,inarche d out to Waireka to attack the natives in front, while 110 blue jackets were sent down in the steamer 'to cut them off in the rear; the surf prevented the landing of the sailors, and the detachment of the 65th marched back to town. Sergeant Burnett was shot through the head. When the Tyne was leaving, a vessel, the Star Queen. Ifave, came into the roads direct from Poonah, with 350 men of the 57th regt.—the first arrival of the Indian succours. It is said that the General was intending to undermine* and blow up the Pukerangiora pa.

[From the Herald’s ‘Journal of Events.’]

Saturday, Jan. 12. —The Victoria from Manukau anchored in the roadstead at 12 noon. Information was received in town to-day that a woman named Meri Poka: had come over from the enemy to Zfairau camp, giving herself’up as a prisoner, in consequence of a quarrel with her husband. This woman reports that the Waikatosare short of food, and live principally upon fern root and beef, the latter supplied by marauding parties. That at Matarikoriko the rebels were short of ammunition, particularly the Ngatimahuta tribe, and 100 pouches were subsequently filled by W T i Kingi. That the. Waikatos brought little ammunition with them, and were to be supplied by Wi Kingi. That the casualties on the enemy’s side on the 29th and 30th ult. were 7 killed and several wounded, —at Mahoetahi 39 missing and 10 wounded, —at Pnketakauere, 5 killed and 9 wounded. S lie tells a story of a wounded soldier who was found in the fern some time after the action, and who would have been spared but for his “ swearing ” at them. Tliis woman has been sent down to Ihaia’s pa, where she will remain.

Sunday, Jan. 13.—The Niger came from Waitara, to he stationed here, the Victoria lying off Waitara. The Rev. Mr. Wilson visited the Ngatiruanui party at Kaihihi today, where he found il/anahi and about 100 men—the main body being at Warea. He went with the intention of persuading them to abandon their system of murdering defenceless and wounded men; he found it useless, and was told by these southern savages that should they meet him on the road they might murder him.

Monday, Jan. 14.—The mail steamer Prince Alfred left to-day at 12.30 for Sydney. Small parties of the enemy are prowling about.—At 3.30 this morning 600 of the iVaval brigade, 12th, 14th, and 40th, commanded by General Pratt, left Waitara camp for Kairau, where they were joined by Colonel Wyatt and the 65th, leaving a garrison for the redoubt and Matarikoriko. On reaching Kairau at about 5.30 the W’hole force\for service advanced in th^, direction of //uirangi, the enemy’s position, the General commanding”in person. Hie natives were seen to take their places in the rifle pits, which extend about a mile and a quarter in length from the brow of the bill overlooking the Waitara river, to the remains of the pa, Ko-te-wai-o-naha, on the right, and, on the advance of the troops, commenced a heavy fusilade from these hidden pits along fhe whole length of their position. The 65th, under Colonel W yatt, advanced in skirmish-' ing order, with the 40th on the right and left, with supports, the. 14tii being left in the Kairau redoubt, the 8-inch gun in the redoubt being manned by a party of the iVaval brigade. A heavy fire was now kept up by the artillery, and the practice was so good that it effectually silenced the enemy’s fire, and a position was taken up by Colonel Mould, about 600 yards in advance, and a working party told off to construct a redoubt. This, the object of tliej movement, was proceeded with rapidly, and there was not a single casualty during the day. At 9.30 a red flag was' hoisted by the enemy on a flagstaff on the edge of the bush, when some well directed shots were fired at it, ami it was hauled down. The redoubt, which will be called No. 2, was completed before dusk, and a party of the 40lli, under Captain B<ml-

ler, were left there to garrison it, and the General, with the Waitara force, returned to head-quarters.—A notice was issued to-day, that in the event of a sudden night attack, additional places of refuge should be provided for the women and children besides Marsland hill,- —namely, the Stone church, the Wesleyan chapel, and the Blockhouse close to the Commissariat office. The harbour boats were sent to the Niger to he. alongside to land her crew in case of an attack upou the town. Tuesday, Jan. 15.—The southern natives are said to have moved up from Kaihihi, several have been seen in the vicinity of the Omata stockade.—-At Kairau and No. 2 redoubt nothing of importance has transpired to-day. The natives are seen occasionally working in the rifle pits, apparently making them shell proof. —A brilliant meteor seeii a little after 2 a.m. —-Early-Ahi&jmornmg about 120 southern rebels cf’ossed the Tapiiae bridge.—Mr. J/annsell, of the ii/ouuted Volunteers, was .fired at .by the on thebeach near the Waiongana liver, where Mr* R. Brown was shot in May last.

IVednesday, Jan. 16.—An incident of a painful nature occurred toMay at Ivairau. At about 10.30 two men, J. MeKimlry, of the 65th, and J. McCauley, of the. Rojal Engineers, were out in the direction of IVgataipaririia, gathering firewood, when suddenly about 80 natives rose out of the fern, about 300 yards from the redoubt, and fired a volley at these men. McKindry fell, and the natives rushed forward and carried him off; McCauley escaped with a bullet through the forearm, breaking the bone. It appeared that the natives had been in the vicinity some time, as places in the fern where they had been piquetting and sleeping were fouud by C'apt. Strange. Thursday, Jan. 17.—The Rev. Mr. \\ ilson arrived at Kairau tills morning from town, and at once proceeded-,-under a flag of truce, to the rebels’ position, to ascertain the fate of McKindry. On reaching the advanced rifle pit, about a dozen natives, with Hapurona, advanced to meet Mr. Wilson. They were reserved and sullen, and would say nothing more than that they had buried McKindry as decently as possible tinder their flagstaff, reading the funeral service over his grave. He had died while they were carrying him to their settlement. They also told the rev. gentleman not to return to them unless he had some urgent reason to visit them. From their angry mood it was thought the rebels lost some men on Monday. Mr. Wilson informs us that, ou riding up the Mangaone hill, he was surprised : by an ambuscade of the enemy, whom he discovered by hearing them cock their pieces. They were lying in wait for every passer by. They told him his profession alone saved him from being shot.— A detachment of the 65th, from Najuer and Wellington, marched to Kairau- to •day, having arrived last evening. It consists of 133 met* under Captains McGregor and McGrath.

Friday, Jan. 18.—A force of J 000 men,, commanded by the General, threw up another redoubt (No. 3) 550 yards from No. 2 redoubt, and about 700 from the enemy’s position. Firing was kept up during the day, and W r m. Brett, gunner, was wounded severely in the thigh. The General returned to- Waitara at 6 p.m., leaving a paity of the Naval brigade to man the 8-inch gun c , one of which is placed in the No. 3 -redoubt, which commands the native pa near Pukerangiora and the rifle pits. AUCKLAND.

It is said that iu a high military quarter the necessity of a change in the tactics of the war is fully recognised. It certainly dees seem extraordinary, even to non-military men, that with the base of an enemy’s position almost defenceless aufl open to attack, and one flank exposed along its whole length, we should, with so large a force at our disposal, confine our operations to the front. However, when our. next-reinforcements arrive we hope that some active steps will be taken. The root of the “ evil,” as the king calls it, must be struck at; and though the natives may pretend that it lies at Waitara only, we know better. Its ramifications extend through the whole of the Waikato. —Southern Cross, Dec. 21. Aebival of Bishop Pompallier.— This highly esteemed prelate arrived in our harbour on Aunday afternoon last, accompanied by 17 clergymen and 4 religious for the convent, to assist the Sifters of Mercy in their good educational works. An address was presented to him from 500 Roman Catholics in amt around Auckland, congratulating him on his safe return, and expressing esteem and affection for him.— ld.

The Races.— The following account is abridged from the Southern Cross, of 4th inst. The races came off on the Ist and 2nd inst., but did not excite great interest, as all the horses were well known. Mr. McFarlane’s bl. c. Venison, 3 years, won the Maiden plate, 4,01, and the Maiden Produce stakes, 30Z. Mr. McFarlane’s b. g. Kauri Gum, aged, was the winner of the Innkeeper’s Plate, 30i, and the Ellerslie plate, 30i. The Cavalry Volunteers’ cup, 201, was won by Mr. Farmer's b.g. Sheet Anchor, which also pained the .Metropolitan plate, 50Z. The /Wle Volunteer’s cup was won by Mr. Auckbury’s Paganini ; and the Hurdle Race, for a silver cup given by Mr. Alfred Buckiand, by Mi. Lundou’s ch. g. Johnny. 4 yrs.; the rider was so unfortunate as to break his collar bone and severely injure his arm. | Waihoiiioi Coal Fields. —'The prospects of these mines are very great, and the works are being carried on with great spirit; fresh headings are being driven from time to tune with complete success, the coal always being won. The last heading just driven leads to a perfect'wall of coal above five feet thick, and of better quality than any yet worked at these mines. The Waihoihoi coal mines are now

fairly developed, and may. be said to be -in ferior to no mines in the world ; the facilities for working them are almost wonderful. These coals get up steam in considerably less time than either English or Sydney coals, and the blacksmith of the mine uses them for all the purposes of the smithy. The directors will call for tenders this week for laying the tram road to Slippery Creek, and when finished a large and constant supply of coals will come to Auckland.*—Yew Zealander, Jan. 2. Coal at Mongonui.— *We derive the fol lowing from a correspondent at Mongonui, under date the 13th ult. :-*-“ I am glad to inform yon that good coals are plentiful in the immediate neighbourhood of Mongonui, in fact directly under the township, and up to deep water. A subscription list has been started for the means of commencing boring, and has_been favourably met by all parties. 3 will-furnish you with-all particulars after the prospecting is over.

*• Turning to other matters: —We have now had a nice rain, and just in time to save the crops. Potatoes this season occupy a much larger breadth of ground than any previous year; they are looking well; but very little wheat grown.’’ — Id. Fine Arts. —At the studio of Messrs Freeman, Brothers, photographists to the Government, has just been completed one of the most successful groups of portraiture to which we have yet had the pleasure of inviting public attention. It is-that of the officers of H .M.S. Niger, now once more engaged in active service in the New Zealand war-r-rthe theatre of former exploits of her gallant officers and crew. The group consists of Captain Cracroft, Lieutenants Blake and Wells, Mv. Veitch, master, Drs. Patrick and Lawrenson, and Messrs. Hyde, Karslake, Theobald, Amjdilet, Mr. 7?ock, Chief .Engineer, Gassiot, "White, and Price. The portraits, which are three quarter lengths, are admirable specimens of the photogenic art.-*—7c?. Land Sale.-**-A variety of allotments situated in the Ponsonby road and Freeman’s Bay, were brought to the hammer by Mr. S. Jones, at his mart, on 19th ult. We need only remark that, at the dullest period, no very sensible depression, in the sales of real estate, was experienced, no sacrifices were submiffed to; whatever property came into the market was not brought there through distress, and consequently it changed ownership at a fair and full valuation. We are happy to learn that even‘this minimum of depression is q uickly passing away, and that a great reaction is setting ini and that town property is not only Us much in demand as it was a twelvemonth since, but is at an advancing figure.-*-/c£. : Auckland, Volunteer and Militia FoRCE.-r-The last returns show that our Volunteer force-T-including Rifles, Cavalry, and Coast Guard, and the contingents of the settlements between the city and the southern dis-tricts-**—numbers (all ranks} 883; the armed Militia about 800; making a total of more than 1600 armed and drilled citizens and settlers, the greater portion of whom, however, are resident in or the immediate neighbourhood of this city.— ld.

New Zealand Tnsurange Company.— This young and flourishing association, which lias taken firm root as one of the standard institutions of Auckland, is following up the custom of such offices in the old country, by the creation of a requisite staff of competent officers. It affords us pleasure to learn that Mr. G„ P. Pierce, so well known to the mercantile community of this city, has just been appointed Manager of the .-Company, and that he will immediately assume the discharge of his duties. T-Id.

Auckland Markets. Ik*tail.-=-Jan. 1861. —Farm aud Dairy Produce-^-Milk, per quart, sd; butter.(fresh}per lb. Is 3d;, cheese (colonial) per lb. Is to Is 6d eggs, per dozen, 3 s 6d ; lard, per lb. Is ; bacon, per lb. 8d to 9d; hams, .per lb.. lOd to I s ; potatoes, per cwt. 10s hay, per ton, 71; straw, 4£; beef, per lb., 7d ; pork, 7d ; bread, per 21b loaf, 6d. Fine flour, 22 1; seconds, 18£’; sharps. 9 1 per ton ; bran, Is 3d; maize, 4s 6d ; wheat, 7s 6d ; oats, 10s. per bushel. At the horse bazaar on Saturday, a riding mare brought 201; and hacks sold at \3l;l ss, 14:1, 15Z;,and up to 20l; : a young filly was sold for 71 10s. Fat cattle realised from 10 1 5s to 111 10s; dairy cows brought from lOi to went to the butcher at 14s 6d, and sheep at from ISs 6d to. 24s 6d-. . •% ■ > - HAWK#’*? BAY. The Herald of 15th ult. has tlie following remarks on the Superintendent’s attempt to enforce the Native .Hand,-Purchase Act. That the Native Land Purchase Ordinance should either be enforced or s repealed, no one will deny. We believe it should be repealed. We all hope soou to see the majesty of the law asserted with a strong arm amongst the disaffected of the native race; ; but we can, never with justice if we can at all, compel obedience to. the laws—to our fencing, scab, thistle, and multifarious other ordinances, whithout placing the Maori on the same level with his brother subjects in all other respects-*—without. letting him do what he likes with his land,-*r-_without giving him a share of representation. The present attempt to enforce a law which has so long remained obsolete, and which hss been so long infringed with impunity, has, vve understand, been forced upon the Government by the natives who are perfectly clamorous for. redress against those persons (and their name is legion) who allow their horses, cattle, &c. to graze on the plains. It is supported on the ground, first, that the evil; is so extending that matters must speedily he brought to a crisis either one way* or; the other; ; and, second that the natives, themselves wish for — although their wish,

we rather think, is simply for redress against those persons wlio dbn’t pay, forgetting that if the law is to be enforced against one it must be against all. On the other hand it is argued, first, that the General Assembly, to meet in April or May, will have this subject urged upon its attention at an early stage of the session, and will no doubt effect material alterations in the law ; second that che natives as a body do not wish for it, but that on the contrary, many of them speak of the present attempt as an addition to the long list of, grievances at the hands of the Pakeha, of whiclf they have to complain. It is added that, seeing the irritability which at present ■ marks the character of the natives, the time for the present movement has been selected with bad judgment and in questionable taste.” Provincial Politics.—' The attention of members of the Council is being called by their constituents to the following subjects :-irr 1. The Land Regulations 2. The Hoads and Lodges ; 3. The Superintendency of the Province . 4. The occupation of Native Lands 5. /nspection of Slaughter Houses 6. The general policy of the Provincial Government relative to the expenditure of the public moneys. The Staff of unprecedented scarcity of flour has taken place in Napier. The baker’s are at their wit’s end for material—every store having been cleaned out, and all the stations and farms within a radius of ten miles having been cleared of whatever quantity could be spaied by their occupants. Every one is now upon a short allowance, and, should some arrival not very soon relieve the market, the use of bread will be one of the things that were. This deprivation will be more especially felt, from the fact, of the potato crop not being, yet in the market in any quantity, and the price, in consequence, still very high. Steam Communication.-?— A correspondent of the Jerald makes the following suggestion on th is snbject “ Pray liow would it do to take the Jpredge out of its glass case* unship the buckets, fix on the fh ats,. get up the steam, and put her on the berth between here and Wellington ? She has the character of being a good s,ea boat, and might answer very well. Better this than keep her any longer as a Provincial curiosity.”

MARYBOROUGH. The Races came off on the 26th instant* The Jockey Club Plate of 30 soys., was won by Mr. Hewett’s Bushman. The Picton and Blenheim Plate of 30 sovs. by Mr. P. MTi'ae’s Chevalier. The Marlborough Plate of 30 sovs. by il/r. Hewitt’s Bushman. The Hack Stakes of 5 sovs, by Mr. PI. Ball’s Harkaway. The Ladies’ Purse of 20 sovs. by Mr. //ewitt’s Bushman ; and the Consolation Plate of 15 soys, by Mr. P. MTlae’s -Sportsman. Omitting the H'ack Stakes there were but eight horses on the course, but the running was good in all the races, except that for the Marlborough Plate. On the. following Saturday evening the Inauguration. Dinner of the Marlborough Jockey Club took place. Mr. Eyes, the Secretary took the Chair, and was supported fay the Superintendent and Mr. Weld. Among the toasts given was the health of Mr. Redwood, to whom says the Marlborough Press” was ascribed, the credit of being one of the best and most honourable sporting men in the Southern Hemisphere, and to whom this colony is indebted for some of its best houses.

NELSON. HifleS for the Volunteer Corps.— Arms for the various Volunteer ljifle Corps haye at last arrived, though we believe thas the quantity to be supplied to each company it so small, that much dissatisfaction is likely to ensue oil their distribution. \Ve hope, how ever, that they will be so given as rather to insure the efficiency of one corps, than to the arming of three or four of the members of each of the several companies. The following circular has been received from the Colonial Secretary : Colonial Secretary’s office, Auckland. Jan. 3, 1861.

Sir, —I have the honor to inform you, that, with a view to promoting the efficiency as marksmen, and in other respects, of the members of the Militia and Volunteer corps through-' out New Zealand, and as a recognition of the zeal which the .settlers! have displayed in providing for the self-defence of the colony, the Legislature has appropriated the sum of 3001 to be given as prizes to the best shots in the Militia and Volunteer corps.

It is accordingly proposed that the firing for these' prizes shall take place simultaneously in each Militia, district on her Majesty’s next birthday, and that the prize to the best-shot shall be 1402; the winner to receive also a champion’s badge, which is to be surrendered to the best shot in succeeding years. Hull particulars as to the other prizes, and also the other necessary details, will be communicated, to you so soon as they-have been finally determined on. 1 In consideration of the comparatively short time which will have elapsed sinde many of the companies have been enrolled; itis proposed that the ranges for the prize firirig nf the 24th of May next shall be 100, 200, and-300 yards respectively. Should it be -found, when; the results have been ' reported;' that two -or more persons have made the same number of points, ihe ties will be shot off at a range of 400 yds.

To afford to the members of the several companies sufficient opportunities for practice, ninety rounds of ball cartridge per man, with a, corresponding number of caps, will be issued free of charge; and any more which may be

wished for will be issued at a charge of Is 6d per dozen for cartridges, and, Is per. hundred for caps. - f j, : v , ; This issue, free of charge will apjdy to all members of Volunteer corps and to all Militiamen who have been on actual service since the Ist January, 1860, or whose attendance at drilLhas been considered regular by the officer commanding; but all persons who have been sworn as militiamen since Ist January, 1860, are entitled to compete, though not to receive ammunition free of charge, unless they have served as before stated.

For the purpose of practice, the rifles within the district under your command will be available to the several persons as defined above, until a further supply can be furnished from those now on the way out from England.

This communication is to be read and explained to the Militia and Volunteer forces under your as soon after its receipt as you may find Convenient. ■r .Nelson Jan.„lg. . Land- 'Sku&i&A sale of Crown land tpojk place at the Land Office on Thursday last, which realised 10,500/, of . which 600/ was paid with land scrip. Most of the land sold was of a pastoral character, and the whole was in the district of Amuri, on the Hawkswood, Parnassus, and Leslie runs; and this, with 2000/ paid for land on the Montrose run within the last few days, makes the districi of Amuri contribute about 12,000/ to our provincial revenue.

River Waiau-ua.— -Owing to the absence of any ferry on this most dangerous river, no less than four lives have been sacrificed within the last twelvemonth, the last being a man in the employ of Mr. Haverhill, of Hawkswood, who a week or two ago left his employer’s station to go: to the Cheviot-hills, and not returning as was expected, inquiry was made, when the horse he had ridden was found, but no trace could be discovered of the man.-*— ld \ Customs Revenue.- —The New Zealand Government ’Gazelle, of December 27, publishes the statistical returns* for the quarter which ended on the 30th September last. The amount of Customs duties collected at the port of iVelson- was 3416/ 18s, against 2918/15s for the corresponding quarter of last year'; at the port of Collingwood the amount received was 92/13s 6d, which was only an increase of IZ 16s 6d. The returns for both Auckland and Wellington exhibit a decrease of revenue, //awke’s Bay a slight increase, while at 7arauaki the revenue had risen 930/to 2541/. The returns from Canterbury give 7690/ against 6283/ last year; and Otago 8,653/ against 5788/. The total Customs revenue for the quarter was 45,789 19s 6d, being au increase over the corresponding quarter of last year of 4,2981.—1 d. Imports and Exports.— The returns just in the Government Gazette, show the imports iiifo Nelson during the quarter which ended on the 30th September last, to have been of the value of 34,039/, while the exports for the same period were of the value of 9,480/. The imports for the whole colony for the above period were of the value of 417,165/, and the exports 40,780. — Id.

Anniversary of the Wesleyan Sunday School.— On Sunday last the 17th Anniversary Services, in connection with the above School were held in the Chapel, Hardy-street* On Tuesday, the Annual Fete took place in the Maitav valley, where upwards of 300 children witii their parents and friends, assembled and ■■enjojed themselves. The school has uow 182 scholars, with twenty-seven teachers, and an average attendance exceeding one j U '■[

Nelson Markets. January 11;—Mr. White’s flour, jg 24 per ton 255. per 100 lbs retail.

Bread, 44b. loaf, Is. Od.; Butter, fresh Is. Od. per lb. ; Eggs, Is. per dozen ; Cheese, Is. to Is. 4d. per lb:; Lard 10d. to Is. per lb.; Beef sd. to. Bd.; A/utton, sd. to Sd.; Veal, 7d. to Bd.; Pork, 8d ; Bacon,* Is. to is 2d.; Haras Is. 3d.; Candles, home made, lOd. ; Potatoes, new, 2d. per lb., old, £7 per ton; Pease, Is. per peck ; Cabbages, each, 2d.; Fowls, per pair, 4s. to 55.; Ducks, 65.; Geese,' each, ss. to 6s.

OTAGO. An addition to our steam fleet has been made by the arrival of the “Ada,” a good serviceable little craft of 53 tons, which has been trading to and from Dunedin, the Taieri, and Clutha,—for-which trade she appears to be well adapted; affording great facility to our country* settlers 1 in those districts for sending their produce to market and receiving supplies. The Ofieron has left the province and proceeded to Melbourne for repairs,—reducing the number of our steamers owned and trading in the province to six. We are, however, shortly to have an addition —the Storm Bird—to trade . coastwise north ; and the Omeo, a fine vessel of 1000 tons burthen, is advertised to leave Melbourne for Otago and Canterbury on or about the 20th inst., in which trade it is proposed to continue her. She will bring a cargo of 3000 sheep each trip, besides cattle and horses and} shquld her proprietors receive the encouragement they, deserve in this undertaking, the stock of the province w ill rapidly increase by, this means alone. We further up del-stand that, one of the principal ; Australian steam, companies proposes to establish a’Jli nq of steam, communication, between Sydney and, Otago. ' S : qopstantly urged ujmn, the settlers of ptagOjthq tha.discbv.ery of a good steam coal.. iSuch a discovery would almost of itself settle the question of steam, communication, aiid make Otago the central point, in the southern seas. A, company, for the working of, coal in the Tofiomairiro has been formed, but has not yet got to work. The seam which it is intended

shall be wrought is spoken highly of, hut being inland it will be available for home purposes only. . Jt is proposed to work another seam on t,he Waitaki, and tenders have been invited by the government for a lease of the mine. The government operations at the Clutha coal field have not lately made much progress; tlie lessee is still sanguine of success, but until the rails from the tramway, which have been ordered from Britain, arrive, little will be done. We, however, understand that everything is in readiness, and immediately upon receipt of the rails they will be laid down. The.progress made in Dunedin, Invercargill, and other townships, is very- marked ; especially is this the case with the new townships. AtOamaru, where a Government sale took place at the commencement of'last month,-at which the land sold for unusually high prices, buildings were commenced the next morning, and it is' quite astonishing to notice the rapid growth of houses.

In the neighbourhood of Dunedin, and on the harbour, building stone of a superior quality to any hitherto found Las been discovered, and a quarry has been started, though so lately as not to afford any information as to the extent of building material which may be obtained. The necessity of some more durable material than wood being used in the town, is becoming daily apparent; as' the houses become clustered together the danger from fire increases. It is certain that at no distant date it will be necessary to legislate upon this subject, and by enactment to forbid the erection of houses in the main streets of the town within certain distances of each other, and therefore it would be well that the public, by acting upon what is evidently to the general advantage, should take to the more durable material without governmental interference.

A new feature in our progress is the springing up of private townships. At Waikouaiti some months since a private township was opened for sale,, and the speculation was a good one. During the past week a township in the neighbourhood of Dunedin —in fact, an' enlargement of the town by the sale of suburban lands in quarter acres, took place, and the prices realized varied from £l2 10s. to £l7 10., the average being about in 3 10s. per quarter acre. This land, three or four years since, was purchased from the government at 10s. per acre, a very handsome profit upon the original investment. /n the Country districts, cultivation is rapidly on the increase,-—a much greater breadth of land being under wheat crop than in former years. The spring has been a very favourable one for the growth of all kinds of produce, and the crops in every direction present a splendid appearance, and promise an abundant harvest.

The absurd fears which the timid portion of our community are constantly manifesting of the want of a market for agricultural produce, surely ought to be dispelled by this years experience; for, notwithstanding the increase of the extent of land under crop last, year, we are now in the position of being short of wheat and oats are not to be obtained excepting to such a limited extent that we hear shipments have been ordered from Melbourne ; and potatoes for many. months have been both scarce and dear.

We have made considerable progress in road-making and the Engineering department is in active operation. The advantage of this work will not be seen or felt until the ensuing winter, during which we have every reason- to hope the traffic will not be stopped as heretofore. These works, of course, absorb a large number of hands, but we observe from advertisements in our columns that.the Government are wanting more; as the harvest comes on, we may, therefore, ?anticipate 'that some slight check will be given'to public works by the public outbidding, the Government in the rate of wages, as the amount of immigration expected during the ensuing month is not more than will supply the current demand.

Our Customs Return show a rapid increase, but the change in our Land Regulations, and the opening up of the land, has not yet had time to operate, but we have every confidence in the realisation of a large land revenue during the ensuing twelve months. —Otago Witness, December.