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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 827, 28 September 1870, Page 2

Gold is said to have been discovered in the Tapuae Creek, Taranaki. It is said (hat Major Ropafa is about to visit Barwon Park, Victoria, to shoot rabbits. Five or six Mongolians have arrived in Timaru for the purpose of settling down as gardeners. The Melbourne ironworkers are agitating for the insertion of a clause in all future Government contracts, enforcing the execution of the works in Victoria. It is said that precious stono3 have been found at Murray Creek, Nelson, and that two of them which were sent to Melbourne were returned cut and beautifully polished. A company has been formed in Oamaru to dress llax by a method discovered by Mr B. Donaldson. The fibre is stated to be perfectly gumless, and, including all costs, can be produced for £l3 per ton. An attempt to supply Gipps Lands with trout ova eventuated in a complete success. Out of 2,500 ova despatched there has only been a loss of fifty-two, or about 2 per cent, of the whole. The New Zealand Herald learns that a considerable shipment of rope from the manufactory in Ponsonby road, has been made by the Santo:), for New York. We trust that this may lead to an extension of our rope-making trade, and that a good market may be found on the eastern seaboard of the States. A late Auckland paper says :—The English Telegrams, vi.i Suez, by the August mail,'may be ex.uected here about the sth prox. The P. and O. Company's steamer is duo at Melbourne on the 29th inst., and at Sydney on the 2nd October. The California steamer Wonga Wonga will leave Sydney for this port on the 30th inst., and will, no doubt, be the bearer of important European news. The Southern Cross, Sept. 24, says:—At the Police Court yesterday, Thomas L. Harris was brought up charged with having embezzled the sum £BSO, the property of the Bulla Shire Council, Victoria. The prisoner, who, according to the evidence of Detective Murphy, admitted the charge, was remanded to Victoria, and will be sent on in the s.s. 'Auckland.' J. S. Macfarlane and Thomas Macfarlane, Esq*., were the presiding magi - rates. The Sydney Morning Herald, in its summary article for the homeward Suez mail, says':—" The outbreak of the war in Europe will probably have some influence upon our fiscal policy. It was part of the Treasurer's intention, not only to borrow some more money, for various public undertakings, but also to consolidate the public debt. This policy was framed at a time when money was cheap in Europe, and when colonial securities were in good favour and easily marketable. But with war, and the fear of a greater war, the money market is sure to be disturbed, and the colony will not be able to reckon so securely as before on obtaining ac a moderate rate of interest the money it may wish to borrow. War means waste, and waste means debt, and belligerent powers, when the fighting stretches beyond a single campaign, are sure to be borrowers ; and, as they must give a corresponding price, and they raise the value of money against all other borrowers. In this way the peaceful colonies have to pay for the European ambition for territorial greatness."

We learn from the Otago Daily Times that a fii'e took place on Monday the sth inst. on the premises of Messrs Wiiliam Wedderspoon and Co., Drummuir Farm, Saddle Hill, while some flax was being dressed. The fire was first observed by the person in charge of the engine. He immediately shut oil' the steam, and all hands tried to extinguish the fire, bat without success, as everything was very dry, and the engine was also covered with caddis from the scutcher. The fire rapidly seized upon a quantity of flat —about half a ton—stoivd on one side of the engine ready for the scutcher. Nothing whatever was saved from the building, the fire spread so fast. The flax machine, scutcher, intermediate shafting, belts, and other gear, together with the engine, passed through the fire. The engine is very much damaged, the sheathing, front, carriage, and the four wheels being burnt through in several places, rendering a thorough overhaul necessary. The proprietors estimate their loss at £9x> or £IOO, but they are actively engaged in re-erecting the build-ing,-and it is expected that it will be again ready for a 6tart in about a week. The building now being put up is a wooden one, but the proprietors are this time panilioning the engiue off from the rest of the building.