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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 114, 14 May 1874, Page 2

We observe that the famous mare Lurline is to be sent to Melbourne to compete for the Melbourne Cup, the race for which will be run in November next, Now that tree-planting is extending* the relative value of the kinds planted Bhould be carefully studied by those investing capital. On the subject the Lyttelton Times publishes the followinp extract from a letter received by n gentleman in Christchurch from a firm in America : — " In reply to your inquiry about the Finns insignis, we beg Jo say that the timber of this tree is used largely by box-makers and coopers for staves, &c.., but not for building materials, being too soft, and not fit to be exposed to the weather. The timber best adapted for the purpose mentioned is that of the so-called Oregon pine (spruce) Abies Douglesii, which tree is also of rapid growth, and the seed; of •which can be furnished at about sixteen dollars per pound." A Philadelphia paper gives the fol lowing information :— "Ballarat, in Australia, is becoming the manufacturing centre of the great southern ! continent. Iron and a species of coal are found in ita vicinity in great abundance." Newspaper property in the Isle of Man does not seem to be at a premium, if we may judge from the fact that recently the copyright of MoncCs Standard and the Manx Punch were sold by public auction for fifteen pence. A Fittsburg paper made a rather ridiculous blunder. Speaking of a certain State measure, about which there had been some opposition, it said " The Legislature pasted [passed] the Bill over the Governor's head," ' Leather made of the skin of the porpoise has been found in England to be the best for boots for sportsmen or anglers. It is remarkably eoft and pliable, and waterproof under the severest strain; A powerful man, it is said, cannot break an ordinary boot lace made of porpoise leather excepting with very great force. They go a-head in Ounedin ! One enterprising cateres for the public — Mr Walters— is about to build new diningrooms in High street, at a cost ot £5,300. The Provincial Government, of Otago have resolved to. use a double bogie engine, on Mr Fairlie's principle, on the Awamoko branch railway. The San Francisco Bulletin says:— •' There are 2,000 or 3,000 outlaws in the mountains of Califprnians, who live by robbery, and violence. They occasionally make a raid on some village and strip it of its valuables, are quite secure from arrest in their mountain fastnesses."