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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 29, 3 February 1871, Page 2

The Banks.— lt will be seen by advertisement that after the l3t of next mouth the banks will close on Saturdays at noon, instead of at one o'clock as at present. Steamer John Perm. — We learn that this steamer, which for a considerable time, was running betweeu Nelson and the West Coast, has been purchased by thr French Government for the New Caledonia trade. Wangapeka Land Purchasers. — This case, in which the land purchasers apply for a mandamus to compell the Commissioner of Crown Lands to issue grauts for the land; has occupied Mr. Justice Richmond in banco tho whole day, and was not concluded when we "went to press. Continuation op Sports. — The sports which were brought to so abrupt a termination on Wednesday last by the heavy rain, will be continued on Monday afternoou at 3 o'clock. "Dancing will commence in the large booth at 8 p.m., aud the display of fireworks and balloons, will take place at 9 o'clock. As a postponement was necessary, would it not have been better to put off the display of fireworks for another week, as the light of the moon which will then be just past the full will materially interfere with the success of this part of the amusements? New Zealand Salt. — Tbe Canterbury Press says : — lt is rumored that a bed of rock-salt of considerable extent has been discovered to the north of. the province. We have been u_able to obtain j any particulars of the alleged discovery, | but give the rumor for what ifc is worth. The Results op Acclimatising. — j Venison is now regularly received in Melbourne from Tasmania by the steamers, j The deer have bred so rapidly in the woods of Tasmania that the gastronomic wants of Melbourne as regards venison can be freely supplied, without thinning too much the wild herda which furnish sport to the hunters. Silk is looking up. We seem really likely to launch the industry successfully. A great many people are turning attention to it, and planting and feeding. To afford present stimulus to ifc a valuable consignment of cards of seed, and paraphernalia of silk culture, and spinners of silk, and information, valued at £250, has arrived as a gift from the Japanese Government to the Acclimatisation' Society through Mf. Harry Parses. To •sh[Ow the proportion to which the trade in eggs has attained we may mention that the Delhi, one of the largest P. and Q. Company's steamers, has been engaged tb conyey eggs from Japan to Europe. The, supply of geed being too great for.; the immediate wants, of this j colony, Dr. Bennett decided upon at once forwarding cards to Adelaide, Melbourne, Briabane, aijtd ]^ew which has,, been done. Years hence this paragraph" will be; turned up -and quoted with no! :graaU Inter&Bp. yyJLt wjiiLbe, looked upon ;as one .pf-.| t)^£» ; !-9b^r^ng [iPff^i^rT-^* I *^ j The Wellington 'correspondent of tho. | Daily Times, supplies the following :--A good story isjold as to Dr Featherston'a reception of the news .about McLean's

settlement of the Manawatu question. Mr. M'Lean and Mr. Fox, as soon almost as they met the Doctor, began to boast of the way the difficulty had been settled, how fortunate it was that Mr. M'Lean had gone there, and by his prompt action prevented an outbreak, &c. The Doctor listened attentively, and, turning to Mr. M'Lean, asked — " How many acres have you given to the dissentients ?" Mr. M'Lean replied — "Twenty thousand;" when the Doctor coolly rejoined, " Ob, that will about clear off the advauces made by the General Government to the province ; for as you have giveu away the laad belonging to the province, of course you will have lo pay for it." A correspondent of an Auckland paper says that he has learned in the course of conversation with the natives of the Upper Waikato tbat there are many Europeans who make a profitable trade out of selling arms and ammunition to the natives — powder 10s. per pound, caps os. per box, £20 for a double barrel gun, and £6 for a rifle. The correspondent affirms that the traffic is extensive, and wellknown to all the Maoris ; if such is the case how is it that Mr. Branigan has not succeeded in putting an end to it ? — Post. Defence of WAiKATO.—The Southern Cross of a recent date says : — " We are glad to learn that effective measures have been taken for the defence of the Waikato in the event of emergency. Mr. Commisrnissioner Branigan, on his recent visit to Taupo, made ample arrangements for the stationing of a body of men numbering 200 at that place. They are armed with Snider rifles, and are in other respects amply prepared in the event of an outbreak iv the Waikato. We believe Mr. Branigan intends proceeding to the Thames to enlist a number of smart fellows, who, after a little instruction in drill, will be sent to the Waikato as a reinforcement. We should think there will be little difficulty in obtaining a force composed of men who have seen service, and who will therefore need little or no instruction. We are gjad to see that the authorities are fully alive to the importance of preparing for any emergency that may arise in the present unsettled state of the natives. . Defences of the- Colonies. — The tenor of the latest news has recalled attention to the question of our defences. Two months ago, when ifc was uncertain whether France would not be victorious, and whether the. defence of Belgium might not involve England in war with a naval Power that possesses a navy and two island depots in the Pacific, and that might harass the Australian colonies, there was some anxiety about our preparations for defence. This was somewhat lulled when the fortune of war showed that Frauce was not likely to be engaged in hostilities with the mother country. But now Russia has come upon the scene, and, backed by some secret understanding with Prussia, is taking advantage of the powerless condition of France to undo the work of the Crimean war, and get its hands untied for another attempt afc Constantinople. Russia probably does not mean war, but when threats once begin, it is not always easy to recall them; and as England onoe drifted into a war with Russia, it may do so again. The question therefore, arises whether, if a war with Russia should break out, Sydney is quite safe against the visit of a Russian fleet. Jn the far north of the Pacific Russia has two fortified forts-*---one at Manchuria at the mouth of the Amoor, and the other at Petropaulovskj, in the peniusula of Karaachatka. Tejegraptuc communication with St. Petersburgh is now carried right across Siberia, and the Russian fleet would have notification ofa war a fortnight before the news would reach a British, fleet at Hongkong, and about a month before it could be known at Sydney, Supposing, . therefore, .a Russian expedition already prepared and bent on mischief, we should have but short time for prejjjflfation. Such defence as is possible "for us uuder our present circumstances*ougVt to be in such a state of preparation that we could bring it ' into operation at very sfyort notice. ;We cannot build new forts, or manufacture large guns, and it would- take* tinie to build gun-boats; Sut* we eouhj construct torpedoes, and have everything necessary for laying theni; ft is to be hoped that there may be no occasion for any such defence} but we hive been fdr^r warned, arid we ought, as .far.'" as possible, to be forearmed. 'The," British,, Government has taken the precaution of sending a telegram,' intimating the possible danger, and this has, ; doubtless, * be^'n done" iii order ,that we ,may makeuall: ;reascaabt^ preparations. -Itis to be ; hoped ; tbat' oup new $ci?ernme_ t is '-'iiot ; too -'touch'^ bficu^efl; in thiukihg of its own sfc^ility togive iproper V iforaidertftion' • fq ( ihla important • question; — S. M^Mepald.J'y y. .' .- { Tgs; J|_glis'h ;' girls call Princess Lohisethe'* opera giais^of fa^hmn" now,' because she intends to make a Lorn-ette herself. 1x * y'7. ' : 'xx