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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1083, 1 August 1871, Page 2

The revenue of the New South Wales Government for the quarter ending 30th June last shows a decline of .£4,353, and chiefly in the Customs receipts. The revenue returns of Victoria for the same period shows an increase of <£40,000. The agricultural statistics of Tasmania show an estimated surplus for the year of 328,130 bushels of wheat. There are under cultivation 3000 acres less than last year. The Tasmanian Government find that they cannot effect the proposed alienation of the military barrack site without the authority of the British Parliament. The Sydney Mail says:—The corres* pondenee with the Queensland Govern* rnent as to the Californian mail service has been published. Mr Parkes, actiug as agent for Mr Hall, asked for a subsidy of ,£IO,OOO, besides the free use of the Queensland steamer Governor Blackall, to run the mails between Sydney an 4 Brisbane and the Northern ports. But Mr Palmer, as Colonial Secretary, objects to the amount of the subsidy as being too large in proporti n to what is paid by New South Wales. He says that he has never promised any contribution that did not make some port in Queensland the first port of arrival and the last of depar, ture. He further objects to any contract unless tenders have been invited-with a sufficient allowance of time for competition by the owners of steamships in England. Queensland, therefore, may be said to decline rendering any assistance to the temporary service. The Wellington Advertiser, 21st July, says: —One of the most scandalous in* stances of leniency and folly that ever came under our notice took place yesterday. Twenty-six of the Hauhau prisoners marched down from Mt. Cook Barracks to the wharf to embark in the s.s. Rangatira for Opotiki, where, we understand, they are to be handed over to one of the friendly chiefs, for safe keeping. The manner in which they were escorted was really most ridiculous and shameful. The only guard over them, consisted of two men, namely, the officer who has been in charge of the criminals since their arrival in Wellington, who followed at the rear, conducting a few Maoris pretending to be lame and unable to keep up with the '* mob," and a subaltern. It is further worth mentioning, that there were no less than twenty six Hauhaus in the gang, and not as much as a handcuff was to be seen on their wrists, or a fire-arm about the guards. Is this the way to look after prisoners of war ? Is this putting down treason ? or do the authorities wish to have a repifcition of the notable " hulk" escape ! Whether or not, we only fervently hope that the few remaining murderers will be treated more stringently than hitherto, and we think, considering how utterly inefficient a portion of the Armed Constabulary have proved themselves as guards, the Provincial Gaol would be a more fit place for the wretches. The visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to India is said to have cost the Imperial Exchequer no less than <£16,000 I Many fashions have a strange origin, but few stranger than that attributed to the once fashionable dye called * Isabella.' When Qstecd was besieged by the Spaniards, under the command of the famous Spinola, we are told the Infanta Isabella of Spain, animated with a most heroic zeal for her country, made a solemn vow not to change her liuen till the town should be taken, The besieged held out till time, which sullies everything, brought her royal highness's linen to a color which wanted a name. Iu a person of that rank it could not be dirty ; it was therefore called * Isabella/ It became the fashionable loyal color, was worn with honor by all, snd with great coqvenjence by many.

Increasing intensity of the famine in Persia is reported. Despatches from the Victorian Government have been sent to the Agent-General i„ England, requesting him to press the Cape Mail route proposition on the Home authorities. Human hair, weighing 22,0001 b., was imported into Great Britain in the year 1868, representing the clip of about 45 000 women of Belgium, France, aud Germany. Hue tells a story of his having been kept awake one night in an inn in China by a donkey which was braying in the .courtyard. He sent for his host and complained. In a few minutes the donkey vsas no more heard. Surprised at the sudden silence, he asked what had been done to the beast. '« The ass," said the philosophical Celestial, " is by nature a conceited, and vain-glorious animal, and, in order to assert his dignity and challenge admiration, whenever he brays he holds his tail out horizontally. By tying a stone to his tail his pride is humbled, and he is no longer inclined to bray."