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Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2589, 26 October 1867, Page 6

The 70th Regiment. — New color 3 hay« jus; been presented to the 70th "Surrey" on Uk Queen's Parade, North Camp, Aldcrshot. The regiment was drawn up in review order, and the colors having been consecrated by the chaplain Lady Scarlett presented them to the two senior ensigns. , Aquatics. — The members of tho Civil Service at Hokitika have formed themselves into a boating club, and sent an ord?r to Sydney for a fouroared racing gig, in anticipation of the coming Christmas holiday?, during which some pretty racing is expected to come off on the Muhinapun Lake. Q.ttartz Mining.— At Waipori, steam power is now employed in connection with quartz mining. The Bruce Herald reports :— " The O.P.Q. Quartz Mining Company finding it necessary to obtain an increase of power for efficiently draining the works, have erected a steam engine," of eighthorse power, with all appliances required. A great many of the principal residents in this district were present at the opening ; and after the orthodox bottle of wine had been duly broken (which interesting ceremony -was performed by Mrs D. Hunter, the manager's wife) the • Pioneer' started, accompanied by tho cheers of all assembled. Several toasts were drank, and some excellent speeches mado in honor of tho occasion, The engine and everything connected with it worked splendidly." Mining on the West Coast.— The latest mining news from tho North is thus summarised by the Weslport Times :— " Our mining news in this issue is meagre in the extreme, and we have very little news lo tell. A report was circulated that a prospecting claim had been applied for within ten miles of tho ISuller, but it had no foundation -whatever. At Waite's Pakihij work is steadily proceeding, a:;d some of the returns of last week's working have been very good indeed. Froit} up the river, where it was expected a rush •would take place nothing further lias been made known. The accounts from Mokihinui arc good generally, and gold lias been brought down in moderate quantities. One storekeeper bought fifty-two ounces in a lew hours, and brought' it down on Tuesday last, and, as wo are informed more was offering. There is nothing fresh from Waimongora, but the quartz prospects continue to be as good as ever. Military Preparation.— A pleasant litilo military anecdote comes from the Cape of Good Hope. The 86fch Foot, under orders for the fever-stricken Mauritius, was landed and sent. infcq camp near Port Elizabeth, there to remain until the sugar colony should have a clean bill ol health. , When the new-comers had been ashore long enough to get themselves and their camp in order, down came the general to hold an inspection. In order to test the condition of their arms, one round of blank cartridge per man was served out; but when, in due course, the command came to fire a volley, no fewer than four hundred and fifty-one rifles missed fire. That fact speaks volumes for the excellent state of preparation to meet a foe in which tho gallant BCth had been maintained. ■Theatrical. — Tom Taylor's comedy, "The Overland Route," has been produced with much success, at the Princess Theatre, Dimedin. There is an unusually largo number of characters in the comedy. ' There is required for each act, a specially difficult set scone — the saloon of one of tho P. and O. Company's steamers, the deck of a Bteamex*, and a coral reef j the difficulty of making each scene effective being increased jubt as tho available space on the stage is decreased.