BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 162, 25 March 1874, Page 2

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach me speed.” KING JOHN, ACT IV. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1874.

The Collector of Customs forwards us a paper containing some information, official and otherwise, on the trad© in fungus carried on in this colony, showing its destination, use, and value. The particulars will be of interest to our readers. It appears that the demand for fungus arose in Taranaki with a Chinese dealer, who first purchased the material. The merchants and traders of New Plymouth, however, would not allow Mr Chong to enjoy a monopoly, and entered the lists against hi n. The price paid in Taranaki has been 2d to 2|d per lb j the quantity exported up to last March has been 145 bales, each containing 4501b5, in all about 65, 2oolds. Twelve months ngo the Son W. Pox wrote to the Colonial Secretary, Hongkong, asking as to the uses to which fungus is applied, and as to its marketable value in China. The following reply has lately been re ceived, dated Hongkong, Ilth June, 1873 "In reply to your letter regarding the accompanying specimen of a kind of fungus, on which you desire a report, I have the honour to inform you that this fungus is much prized by the Chinese community as a medicine, administered in the shape of a decoction to purify the blood. It is also used on fast days. A mixture of vermicelli, bean curd, and this fungus is boiled and eaten instead of animal food. The sample which accompanied your letter is a very good one. The ordinary price of the article is from seventeen to twenty taels per pecul wholesale, and one mace five caudereens to two mace per catty retail—that is to say, about 10£d per lb. I may add that superior kind of fungus is produced in the Chinese provinces of Sze Chaen and Yun-Nau, which is sold at the rate of thirty dollars per pecul (1331b5). —I have, &c., Cecil Clementi Smith, acting Colonial Secretary. ” We may mention that there are three agencies for its purchase in Auckland. We are not aware of any agency at present in the Bay of Plenty.

We have very little native news, but that little is satisfactory. An Auckland contemporary states that the Government have made arrangements for a monster native meeting on the 12th of April. We are ioformed’on authority that this ruaanga ■will not commence until the 19th of April at the earliest. The object of the meeting is to discuss general matters affecting the native race previous to the opening of nest session of Parliament. It is expected that all the tribes in the North Island will be represented. The principal chiefs of the Ngaiterangi tribe will assemble together at Horoboro on Friday, 27th instant, to settle a disputed land boundary between two sections of the Arawa—a trivial matter, merely affecting the parties concerned.

A teiegham from the Agent-General, dated London, March 6, states that the following ships, with immigrants, sailed during February;— Yeruna, for Canterbury, with 320 persons; Atrato, s.s., for Otago and Canterbury, with 770 ; Schiehaliion, for Napier, with 350; Hague, for Wellington, with 440 ; Fleming, and two other vessels, for Otago, with 720; Bonbarell, for Auckland, with 300 ; Balochfile, for Canterbury, with 480. i wenty-fonr vessels were to bo despatched during March and April.

We havo been requested to publish the followins letter : “ Wellington-street, Auckland, March, 1871. Rev C. Jordan, Incumbent Tauranga.—Reverend Sir,—l am instructed to inform you that a meeting of the officers of thn POLIOGT will be held on Monday next, for the purpose of selecting an officer to proceed to Tauranga and open a subordinate Lodge of lOGT in your township. Will you be kind enough to communicate this news to your congre* gation and the Maoris, who begin to take an interest in Good Templary. I believe the officers will be able to leave Auckland during next week so that you may expect them to arrive by the steamer Southern Cross on her next trip. I may add that I am lead to believe that Mr Atkin will be appointed to the office.—Believe me. Reverend sir, yours respectfully. Brother C. De Thieehv PGDWWG T.” *

The time for receiving claims to vote will expire on Tuesday next, the 31st March. All claims must be in the hands of the Registration Officer at Maketu on or before that date, otherwise they will not be recognised. Tbis is our last note of warning on the subject of registration.