CHAPTER XV.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 25, 31 December 1874, Page 3

CHAPTER XV.

THI3 DEED. AND ITS WITNESSES. What in the world is more variable than the ever-changing sea — to-dny tossed with the tempest, to-morrow calm and still as a sleeping child ; one day playing the part of p. ruthless destroyer; and the next wearing a peaceful smile on its unruffled surface.

Thus it need not surprise the reader to find the vessel which, at the close of last chapter, was plunging into what seemed instant and inevitable destruction, now lying becalmed on the bosom of an almost motionless ocean, and this after an interval of only forty-eight hours.

Contrary to the expectations of everyone on board, the Friends did not founder when she descended with such a fearful rush into the valley of the waves, but after being* swept ft-om stem to stern by a watery deluge, during the passag-e of which each g-ave utterance to what he believed was his last prayer for mercy, or his last cry of terror, she was caught u,p again to the crest of the succeeding* wave, and hope, which had been quenched 03- despair, rose again in the bosoms of the drenched mariners. If the vessel had survived that tremendous shock, it might possibly weather the gale, since signs had appeared to the experienced eye that its worst fury was spent. For one hour more the violence of wind and wave seemed to abate but little, but at the end of that time the storm had sensibly moderated. Then the crew began to breathe freely ; the color returned to pallid lips, and the redness to blanched cheeks. The ghastly expression which guilt had imprinted on the countenances of the captain, the mate, and Jeff vanished, and voices were once more raised in firmness and confidence. The thankfulness of heart cherished by Charles and Jack shone out in both their eyes as they gazed on each other with looks whose meaning required no words of conveyance, and when at length Jack said, "in tones husky with emotion, (i I think, Charley, as bow May must ha' being praying for us," the other responded with emphatic earnestness, "My very thought, Jack, my very thought." For all the rest of that day and the greater part of the next the wind blew, though with- much less violence, and the captain made no effort to set a course, but allowed the ship to drift on as sea and air might determine. Where they had got to they knew not, neitbev did it matter much, if only an opportunity came by which the deed designed might be accomplished. By the morning of the third day the' wind had ceased, and the sea gone down, and at noon so great was the change that, with all sail set, they lay becalmed and motionless, wir,h a burning sun streaming his vertical rays through the sultry air, and perfect silence reigning all around them.

A mighty change indeed from the noise and tumult through which they had just passed, and, doubtless, its suddenness and greatness combined to render the strong heat and intense stillness oppressive to every heart. To pass from wildest motion to that perfect rest, and all within but a few hours, was an experience strange and deeply impressive. To Jack it was nothingnew, and therefore nothing to be .wondered at; but to Charles it was amazing, and he could with difficulty realise it.

But he was not left to make it the subject of reflection long", for his mind was presently occupied with somethingmore closely connected with his presence amid such surrounding's. At the distance of two or three miles lay a large vessel becalmed, and this object was being* regarded by the captain and mate with such evident interest that he and Jack suspected that somethingwould follow. They noticed also that Jeff was unusually excited, and watched the pair on the poop, earnestly, ever hovering near them, and occasionally exchanging whispered communications with them.

" The time has come," said Jack to Charles, as they sat tog'ther in the forecastle splicing ropes which had been damaged in the gale.

11 That is also my suspicion," returned Charles. "They intend yon vessel to be the means of our escape." Jack nodded, and bent earnestly over his work, for at this moment Jeff passed near them, and it was all important to keep him ignorant of their suspicions.

The splicing- operations kept, them nt work all the day, but not for a moment did the}' cease to watch the motions of the captain and mate, who hardly ever left the poop, but had many a whispered conference there, and directed many a glance at the sky, which Jack was not slow to interpret.

'•' They are looking 1 if it ain't likely that a breeze should spring- up," he observed. "If that should come they would have to do the iob at once, but as there ain't any appearance of it they'll wait, till night, when it will be easier done."

So far as the two could judge, none of the rest of the crew shared in the suspicions which they entertained. The men were in high spirits after the. dangers of the storm, only grumbling* a little at the calmness which now kept them stationary. One or two had

given way to a sailor's habit in such a situation, and whistled for a wind, when, very much to. their astonishment, the captain with a fierce oath ordered them to desist. Then seeing the surprise which the order produced, he recollected himself, and added—

" We don't want a, wind yet — not till we repair the damage caused by the last."

" That ai'rt true, at any rate," muttered Jack. " "Where's the damage, I should like to know ? Every spar is standing — not a, yard of canvas blown away — nothing but the ropes out o' gear, and they'll be put right soon enough.. Oh, no, my hearties, 3ou don't gammon me with that yarn. We knows better, Charley ; and if you and I keep a sharp Iqok out, it's my belief as how we'll see something ugly afore the second watch is over."

11 But we are not in the second watch/ said Charles

'-« i\o, we ain't, and so much the better, for the oilier watch we mean to keep," rejoined Jack, with a brisk nod "We go on for the last dog watch, and come off at midnight. We'll both keep our weather eye open on the captain's motions tip to that time, and if there's anything in the wind we'll be sure to see it. Hush, stow it, Charley, stow it. There's that devil Jeff alooking our way. The Lord forbid that he should' think we suspect them."

Jeff was, indeed, looking in a restless way in various directions, but with no ground for doing so farther than that the secret of which he was in possession made him excited and ill at ease. He was villiau enough to become, art and part in the crime which was about to be committed, but was sufficiently experienced in this line of business to be cool when the crisis was near. His sinister- eyes,, therefore were constantly roaming over the ship, and his nervousness was apparent to our two friends, who had such cause to watch him as well as the other two plotters with whom he was associated.

fjad Jeff been within hearing of the conversation that was afc the moment taking place on the poop between the captain and the mate, his. uneasiness would have taken a different an.d more personal direction.

This was the substance of it. " We settle it for the begining* of the scond watch, then," said the captain, in low and cautious tones.

" Aj, ay; there is no moon, but it will not be too dark to make for yonder ship. We needn't even signal, but take to the boats at the right moment —all' but Jeff"

" You ai*e still bent on that, are you ?" said the captain, dubiously.

" We'd be arrant fools else. If he g'oesback to Glasgow with us, knowing* what he does, our safety is perilled ; and why should we run that risk when we can easity avoid it V

'•' But can we easily avoid ?• asked the other. "It may be impossible to dispose of him f.s you design."

(< Trust me to manage it. Only let it be settled between us. that he goes down with the ship. Do you agres — for, of course, we share in that as in all else."

" Well — as — as yon are strongly of opinion that he would prove dangerous — but, Dan, we never did anything of this kind before."

" Because we never had need," promptly responded- the mate. " And the fellow has brought it on himself by worming his nose into our plans " "Well, as all is arranged, I'll go down and collect my papers. Ha, is not yonder a cloud in the north j by heaven, it means a breeze on the way."

"Nonsense — we shall have no breeze till after midnight, and once we are on board the Tndiamau T care not how soon it comes, for we have gone a long 1 way out. of our course, and much further than we meant. But go below, captain — go below, and get all ready." The master took a long look at the dimness in the north which had troubled him ; then he turned his eyes towards the becalmed vessel in the distance, and slowly leaving the poop descended to the cabin.

The sultry afternoon passed away, and the air grew cooler as the sun descended toward the west. But not a breath of wind came to move the sails, which hung- motionless on the yards, and not a ripple was to be seen on the bosom- of glassy sea. which changed from golden radiance to a silvery brightness as the subdued light of the evening sky was reflected on it.

The mate's watch was the first dogwatch that night, and that was not the one to which Jack and Charles belonged, they decended to their berths till ten o'clock, at which time they would have to turn up for duty till midnight.

At the time expected the call came for the second dog-watch, and on obeying the summons they found that the night, though not very dark, was hazy, and still without a breath of wind. In the distance could be discerned the dull red light of the Indiaman, and their own light burned bright in the binnacle. At the moment they gained the deck, the captain made his appearance as officer of the watch, and the men of the relieved watch, including Jeff, went below. The mate exchanged a few whispered words with the captain, and then he, too, sought his bunk till the time of the, midnight watch should again call him forth.

The two hours that succeeded seemed long and tedious. Away aft the captain paced the deck in utter silence,

and as to positive duty there was none to be discharged. The watching of a ship becalmed in the open sea is but a form, for so long as the calm continues little danger or molestation is to be apprehended. The . sailors therefore, unheeded by the master, lounged listlessly against the masts and bulwarks, chatting and smaking as their inclinations prompted, none being on the alert but our two friends, whose weather-eye, as Jack had termed it, was open, and every faculty on the stretch to note whatever might occur..

In point of fact, however, nothing did occur. They could see the form of the captain as he walked slowly to and fro, und as he was between them and the sky, they observed that he was constantly taking a survey around and aloft, with, an anxiety that was not warranted, by the outward position of affairs. But beyond this, nothing' unusual "vas to be seen.

And so the time went on till eig-ht bells was struck, and proclaimed the hour of midnight. This was the signal for the mate's watch to be again called, and up came the latter and Jeff with a promptness which- showed, thai they had not turned in or been asleep during the interval. The last dog-watch being relieved, and the second full Avatch having been set, Jack and Charles went below with the rest, but not, as may be imagined, to seek their hammocks or to go to sleep. Fortuuately for their purpose their berth was by itself, near the foot of the fore companion, and as the other berths were beyond, they could issue forth without being observed. But what was more important, still, the bulkhead agninst which the berth was constructed was in close proximity to the hold, and any noise in the latter could not faij, to be heard by them. More than this, Jack had with his clasp knife cut out a portion of wood between one of the seams, through which a. light from the hold wculd gleam through, and by which they hoped to obtain- a peep into the hold, and observe any operations which might be carried on there,,

In less than two minutes after they and their companions of the watch had descended, the latter had all turned in, and their loud- snores proclaimed that they were asleep. Jack and Charles sat on their chests opposite each other hardly breathing, so deep was their eagerness and anxiety. They were in darkness, of course, and could not see each other's face ; but Jack laid his hand on his companion's arm, and whispered —

" Off with your shoes, Charley ; your shoes and your jacket — nothing- more." " All rig-ht," responded Charles, and a slig-ht rustling* intimated to each that the other was performing these operations.

According to the plan previously agreed on, they were to creep up the companion-way till their heads were high enough- to give them a view of the deck, and from thence they would watch everything tliat went on. riavii.g made themselves ready for the enterprise, Jack was about to quit the berth, with the other close behind him, when rapid steps were heard, the dim light at the top of the ladder was obscured, and most of the sailors who had a few minutes before gone up for the watch came tumbling down with great alacrity, and made their way to their berths.

Jack withdrew in time to escape observation, but neither he nor Charles could understand why the men had come down But by the talking of the latter, which rhey overheard, in pretence of no watch being needed in such a calm night, the mate had given them leave to turn in, saying that he and Jeff would keep the deck between them. This was a breach of nautical discipline which might well have filled the sailors with astonishment, but it did not strike them as being- anything more than a piece of good-natured liberality on the part of the mate for which they were extoemely glad, and with great glee they undressed and got into their berths to enjoy that repose which they had so unexpectedly obtained. No man sleeps so quickly or so soundly as a sailor, and in a very short space of time all talking and all sounds had ceased, save the loud and heavy breathing which denoted tha,t they slumbered.

But if they themselves were not struck by the peculiarity of the proceeding which had discharged the nightwatch, Jack and Charles foiled not to be fully impressed with its significance, and drew their own inference from it. This they durst not express in words, lest they should be overheard ; but they pressed each other's hand in the darkness as an indication that they understood ths meaning of this extraordinary proceeding.

Waiting 1 till they were certain all were asleep, Jack signalled to. Charles to follow, and the two again issued forth for the purpose of creeping up the ladder. As it was nearly upright, and as the hatch at the top. was small, there was room for the ascent of one only, diaries therefore stood on the lower rounds while his companion went up to reconnoitre.

With cat-like stealthiness Jack made his way up till his head was level with the deck, then with the utmost caution he raised himself a little further- arid peered aft through the darkness. ■ :

Near the mainmast stood three dark forms close together, which he made out to be those of the captain, the

mate, and Jeff. They were speaking very earnestly together— not exactly in a whisper, but in tones so low that Jack could not catch a word that was spoken till", to his alarm, he heard the mate say to Jeff, " Go down and make sure that all the men are asleep.'^ "Quick, Charley, back to yuiir berth," he whispered, and down he came with as much speed as was consistent with noiseless motion. The quick ear of Charles heard the injunction, and he was in ihe berth ere Jack reached the foot of the ladder. " Lie down and pretend to be asleep," was Jack's next whispered injunction,, and he followed it up by creeping under the bed clothes. and commencingto snore. Charles was not slow to comprehend this direction either, and. presently he too whs among- the blankets and breathing- like one in deep slumber, but with eye's and ears wide op a n. Jack made use of the same organs to thpir full capacity,- and, lying- as they did with their faces to the front of the berth, they heard some one come stealthily down the ladder of the forehatch'. The door of their compart-, ment was pushed gently open, and by^j the dim — the very dim — lig-ht which lav behind they could see a man's head inserted, and rpmain there in an attitude of intent listening 1 .

Most admiraolv did the two within feig-n the manifestations of profound sl"mber. The respiratoi'y sounds emitted by Charles were without fault, while Jack's snore -was perfect.

A few moments of listening were sufficient to satisfy Jeff — and deceive him — for they had the satisfaction of seeino. 1 him close the door as noiselessly as he had opened it, and make his silent way to the berths of the other hands. Here sleep real and unfeigned met his careful inspection ; and fully believing that the senses of air the men were lost in oblivion, he reascended the ladder, and delivered his report to this effect.

" Charley," whispered Jack, in the very lowest oftones.

" Yes," responded the other, in as faint, a whisper. "We'll have another peep at them through the fore-hatch."

" Be careful though, for Jeff may be watching there."

v I'll be as quiet as a mouse. Don't you move. I'll come and tell you what I see."

" Hu?h, what's that ?" said Charley, as a. low knocking sound reached their ears.

(< FTa," ejaculated his companion, "they are knocking the hatch off the hold."

" Then we must creei) aloft, and witness theirproceedings," said Charles, leaving his berth at once. " It. is of the utmost importance that our eyes, should see them do the deed."

"Be careful' then, Charley — Lord love ye, be careful If they catch us spying, afc them we may count ourselves dead men."

" All right ; I'll he very careful, for I. know what's at stake. Where are you ?"

♦"' Here, at the foot of the ladder. I'm aToing up. Don't you come, Charley, till I give you the signal "

Jack began to make his way up the ladder with the utmost caution, pausing at every step to make sure that no one was watching from above. Thus ascenHing inch by inch, every nerve strung' to its utmost tension, he had almost get to the top when he felt a hand grasp his ankle. Under the shock of surprise he gave a wild start, and had almost roared outright, when he bethought him' that it might be Charley, and he held down his head to hear if he shonld speak.

" Is it you. Charley ?" v Yes," came the whispered answer, "come back; they arr getting 1 down into the hold ; tliey have a light; we shall shem through the crevice." Down came Jack at this information, and groped his way back to theft" berth where the other had already preceded him. No sooner had he entered than his eye was caught by a gleam of light shining through the slit they had made in the bulkhead. Charles had his eyes applied to one end of the aperture, and Jack immediately glued his to the other.

The hatch of the hold was open, and a a lamp had been swung down by a cord, the end of which was fastened above. By its light the hold was only feebly illuminated, but sufficiently so to show the- watchers that it was entirely empty of cargo, the bottom being filled with gravel and large stones, sufficiently accounting for the rumbling" noise which had been heard during the storm. It was a dreary, ghostly place, and a strong, disagreeable smell of bilge water came with, foated odour even into their berth.

Presently the mate carae down, followed by the captain, each carrying an instrument the purpose of which the two witnesses had no loss to conjecture. And after them came Jeff carrying a long coil of rope/ with numerous short ends hanging 1 from it, thsse short ends being placed at certain distances from each other. To - what use" this rope with the appendages was to be put Jack and his companion wera puzzled to understand, but they were- soon to be enlightened on the point. - There is the best place/ said ; the captain, pointing to a spot along the , ship's side a little way above thebaW

last heap and considerably below watermark. • « Now begin, Dan," he-added,. " and let us make quick work of it." 'J hey went down on their knees close--together, and began to ply their instru-, ments with a rapid motion of the arms,.. A low rasping- sound was produced likothafe made by an aug-ur piercing- a hole--in wood; Jeff turned pale when heheard it, and cast frightened looksround the gloomy hold. The faces of captain and mate- werewhite also, but their lips were set in, firm determination,, and they wrought their instruments with, an, air, of quick despatch.

" Here, ' Jeff—the rope,"" said tlie mate, in less than a minute.

Jeff sprang forward-, and Dan, seizing 1 the rope, thrust one of. the short ends into the hole he had made.. This kept the water from rushing- in. Hardly had. he accomplished this, when the captain called out in his turn, for the rope, and one of the short ends' was likewise thrust into the hole which < he had bored.

And so they went on, making hole after hole and stopping- each with- rope till a row had been perforated all along the ship's side, and" till the rope which Jeff carried was nearly expended. " Have ws- done enough," asked the mate, directing- an excited look towards the captain.

"Ay, and more than enough," replied the captain. *' When the plugs are pulled out, the water will come in" at a rate that will sink her in half-an-hour, and that' gives us little enough* time to rouse the men and lower the * boats." " 'Ay, half-an-hour is little enough re- - sponded the mate, "but we'll make it do,-- --" Now, then, are you ready ?" Tbey looked, at each other in a scared manner, sufficiently indicative of' the agitation which filled their guilty bosoms. Then they each took a hold' 1 of the long end- of the rope, and madaready for the final act. " Now, then," said the captain,, " when I count three — pull. Are you ready V " Ay, ay," answered both liis confe- - derates. " One— two— Thrke," They pulled simultaneously at the rope ; the short lengths which plugged*, the holes were drawn out at one'and ' the same moment ; "then came a rushing, gurgling noise as the water poured 3 rapidly in. (To be Continued.) Rtferring to Mr Holloway and his criticisms on the colony, at least of Otago, the 'Times' says "whatever report Mr Hollo--wav may bring Home of unfavorable landlaws ox other matters, there is-not the slightest doubt that New .Zealand does offer the priz? of independence toeveryv imniigrant who can and will work for it." " The ' Times ' speaks strongly in favour of our Colony above other Colonies. The., 1 Standard' and other- papers have also opened their columns to correspondents on. thevital questions of emigration; and it is - noticeable thnt a larjre preponderance 13 strongly in favor of New Zealand aboveCanada,

The returns of the- number of inquests - and the verdicts returned throughout the Colony of New Zealand during the year--1873, compiled by the Register- General, snow that there were 461 inquests - hjeld, .' and the verdicts returned give the startling ' number of deaths caused by drowning to be 114; viz, accidentally drowned, 72 nr-iles and nine females ; drowned through* drink, 3 males : and drowned where therewas no evidence to show how, 22 males and 8 femalep. There were 30 casea of heart disease ; 23 from natural causes ; 21 from, apoplexy, and the others (the greater part)> were lrom accidents of various descriptions.

The • Poverty Bay Herald ' states that: the Oil-spring Company, having sunk a shaft to prepare for boring operations, to a. depth of thirty leet, the escape of petroleumgas become so deuse that the workmen were prevented from proceeding further. The manager has now come to town to, obtain a wind-sail to clear the shaft of gas,, the presence of which may be taken as a further indication, if any were needed, of the abundant supply of oil on the company's ground.

It is authoritatively announced that the Prince of Wales has accepted the GrandMastership ,of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England. The Earl of Shrewsbury, presiding at a Provincial Grand. Lodge of the Freemasons of Staffordshire, held at Alton Towers recently, said, in. proposing " the health of the Prince of Wales," that he deeply regretted the retire--ment of the Marquis of Ripon, and he/ believed had he more closely studied , the teachings of the English Church and of ttya craft, he would still have heen a Protestant; and a Freemason. Nevertheless, it was a great consolation to know' that this place would be occupied by. the. Prince^. of Wales, whose health was drunk enthusiastically. Urging the importance of New Zealand, being represented at the Centennial Indus--tri 1 Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia in 1876, the San Franc" sco • Correspondent of an Auckland paper writes:— '.'Xpur wool, flax, gum, and cabinet woods oughfy to be exhibited. If ever the phormiiim tensx is to become the great staple product of New Zealand, -you must look to the States aayour legitimate market. ; America so far isnot a flax producing country. The fibsnus plants indigenous to it are:df.comparatively little value. Had they the New Healand flax, the people of this country would long ago have found some Tway of cleaninz and raiaing it to. iU prodet stan <?ard. Th ere are many- beautiful woods in this country ; .but; l have seen none that surpasses the mottled kauri of your North. Island, o.r the rimu of the South. A ll your furniture woods .ought to -be exhibited. Practically, New Zealand' is yet a terra incognita to "the average American. f o An exhihit of Seuffert'a cabinet work in Philadelphia would open theeyesof the Qriakers, and lead .to inquiries about the country^ whick'produceli''such :i --belintifal>yo^m^i-L ship. r JB yen here, in. San^Francisc, tbereisL. very "little' known Wsto^tlieyewuEcei and. climate of New Zealand,'*— ;' .pUly^in^ea^

At the last meeting of the Waste Land Board, a report was read by Harder Hughan on the application of Me-srs Gordon and Petrie, for two acres of land, situated on Section 12, Block I M Qlenoamaru district, a* a site for their sawmill. He recom mended that the arplication should be granted, which was dpne sccordingly. Rather an exciting deer hunt is reported to have taken place at Tapanui, on Thurs day last. Mr John McSLrllar, and a party pf gemlemtn, who happened to be out scouring the fiw, started a large onck, to which they gave chase. After a long and tedious pursuit, they succeeded ia bringing it to bay. On being despatched the animal was found to weigh not less than 210! rs Its captors, we understand, intend having it prepared, ard forwarded as an addition to the Ota<»o Museum collection.

We are in a position to et-»te positively, that active steps are about to be taken for construction of the branch line of ra'lway to connect the Kaitangata coal workings with the main line. Representatives of tht Coal Company have been for some time past in communication with the Brogden firjn. The negotiations have so far advanced that instructions have been given to prepare preliminary plans and specifications for the work. The.-c have not yet be^n completed, but they will be ready in the course of a day or two. We gather from information supplied to us that, the length pf line required in the first instance will not exceed five miles, and that at a rough estimate the formation work will not, exceed L3OOO. This is of course exclusive of sleepers, ballasting, plate- laying, rolling stock, or, in fact, everything else 1u- the bare formatiop. We trust that the thing will be gone on with energetically. The *Uy' of the country through which the line v*ill have to go N is perfectly good for constructive purposes. It is surrounded by bufh country, saw mills, an, in fact, every requisite for the 6upply of sleepers and other timber.", so that extra facility may be said to exist for carrying on the ■work promptly.

It is understood the through line of railway as far as the Mosgiel crossing will be ready for traffic within the next month or bix wetks. It was currently reported that an arrangement would be made between the Government and the contractors whereby the line would be wrought as far as possible pending completion of the Chain Hills tunnel. We regret to learn that doubts have arisen as to the practicability pf that course being followed. The suhject was mooted a few dajs ago to his IJonor the Suprrintendent, and very little prospect, we understand, was held out in thit quarter of the line being at work soon. )So far from that, his Honor gave it to be understood he would not be at all surprised if its optning were to be delayed until the tunnel was finished, or until the Green Island branch line had been continued over the hill, and brought to rejoin the main line at some point or an Mbtr alon<» the Taieri Plain — the later being considered most likely to be the first accomplishes work of the tveo. Such an opportunity was not to be n«glected by h ; s Honor to read a homily on the superior advantages of provincial admiuistratipn fetVe abolition of provinces question, and this, we ac assured, he did in langua.e at once clear and forcible. Be that as it may, a delay of this kind in the opening ot the line would be most disastrous, and we cannot believe but that en arrangement for optniDg it at once could be made without treading upon the rights of either the Government or the contractors.

A discovery, which promises to be one of very great importance, has just been made on the lands of the Jyaitaptrata C< al Company, at a spot known as Capstick's Creek. In sinking for the purpose of test ing the strata for the proposed branch line to Kaitar gata a seam of coal was struck, which has since been ascertained to be not less than 21 leet thick. A discovery of this kind should act as an additional incentire to contract the proposed branch line to Raitangata.

Our Inch (Clutha correspondent writing of date the 25th insf., reports. — To many of the surrounding districts the heavy rains qf Monday would be welcome. Crops on elevated land looked languid and backward, and on such the recent rain must have had a salutary effect. In our own immediate locality the last rain has had rather a detri mental effect, in lodging a considerable portion of winter sown wheat, which this season has been particularly rank and luxuriant. For two or three successive seasons the Island firmers have been exempt from the trouble and Ips 9 sustaiped by having their ctops lodged. It is almost an impossibility to avoid such contingencies where crops grow so fast and strong. Provided the ear is clear ol the bloom ere it i 9 levelled the quality of the grain is not much impaired, but the harvest operations are more laborious and expensive in the case of lqdged crops. With such favorable growing weather, potato and turnip fields are making rapid progress. Grass is very abundant— feeders are fast improving. During this season a great number of fat stock will be sent from the Island. Last week a prime lot was sent to the Dunedin markets by one of our farmers. For some time back store cattle have been in active demand, but probably the paddocks are now stocked.

The following allusion is made by the 1 Argub* to a pen of two- tooth sheep exhibited at the N. A. Society's Show, Melr.ourne,by Messrs.Sutton Bros., Southland. In this class they (the Messrs Sutton) were large exhibitors of sheep of a very distinctive type. They have large frames, well povered with wool of a very u e eful stamp, but wanting lustre. The.re are fifty for sale by auction, and no doubt they will meet a ready market. It is not generally v der stood the lustre depends partly on the sail and climate; it may be developed, there fore, under favourable conditions in the Australian colonies, although it has been 1 wantina in Southed.

Mr. Thomas Pollock forwarded expla nations on the report of Hanger Hujjhan on the state of the plantation* and fencing in around the Waimea, Popotunoa. and Merrie Crei k bush reserves, of whit-h he was the lessee, and which were read and considered at the last meeting of the Waste Land Board. As these explanations were at variance with the Rangers report, the Board resolved that Mr Pollock be requested to return that report, and that the District Engineer be as-ked to report on the sta»e of the fences, the area over which the timber is cut down and planted, and also the state of the plants a.t the present time, and forward any other information bearing upqn the subject.