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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1107, 30 August 1871, Page 2

Tbe town of Port Chalmers was lighted with gas for the first time on Saturday, sth instant. The Provincial Government of Nelson has, it is reported, made a clear profit out of the Brunuer coal mine last year of <£l2oo. The timber trade of Hokitika is assuming large proportions. On one day a week or two ago, vessels sailed from that port for Lyttelton, Dunedin, and Nelson, whose aggregate tonnage amounted to 200,000 feet of sawn timber. A correspondent, writing to tbe Daily Southern Cross, suggests that, as prevenl tion is better than cure, the City Counciof Auckland should pass a by-law making the earth closet system compulsory in the city, to be brought into force, say, on or before the Ist November next, and before the hot weather sets in. This system would utilise large quantities of excellent manure, without subsidising tauks ; prevent the wholesale poisoning of the wells from which the people have to drink; aud purify the air we breathe, thus tending to the preservation of the public health. A late Waoganui paper says that the fii\n of Brewer and Durie, station owners and cattle shippers, is unable to meet its engagements. The liabilities are staled at £BOOO, and the assets at £4OOO. The s.s. St. Kilda has been taken possession of by the Bank of New Zealand, which had a lien on it, and the meeting of creditors was, at latest date, to have been held in a few days. There is an unpleasant rumour that preference was given to a large creditor a short time since iu view of the failure. A rather curious case is reported as likely to be sent to the Supreme Court from Patea for trial. It seems that a settler rhere, being troubled by rats, which devoured his produce, imported a number of cats to stay the plague. This they did, killing a number of the rats, and driving the remainder on to the properly of a neighboring farmer. The latter, not approving of this result, threatens proceedings against the owner of the cats for the damages. There is some talk of a compromise being effected, by the cats being divided between the two farmers with the object of driving the rats on to the property of the third neighbor; but in any case, in the present temper of the parties concerned, it seems likely that a jury will ultimately have to settle the matter. The Intercolonial Free Trade Bill of South Australia empowers the Governor of that colony to arrange with any Australasian colony, except Western Australia, for reciprocal free trade—agreements to be made for a period not exceeding 10 years, terminable by mutual agreement, or by one year's notice on either side. Recently, in the South Australian Legislature, the Attorney General stated that he was using every exertion to induce the Victorian Government to take action against the absconding debtor nuisance.

The Woman's Journal would " be glad to have some guarantee tLat women will be allowed to vote equally with men in sixty years." Somebody must be getting &§eoui*agea;,