News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 5, 25 February 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

Fire Brigade. —LastTuesday evening a conjoint committee consisting of W.Y.F.B; and C.Y.F.8., met in the engine house, Te Aro, for the purpose of discussing the best means of obtaining a powerful fire alarm bell and tower for this city. Capb. Moss, of the C.Y.F.8., was moved to the chair. A long discussion arose upon the matter, and on the motion of Member E. Tolley, W.Y.F.8., seconded by Lieutenant J. Jenkins, C.Y.F.B.—That the Insurance Agents and General Government be waited upon for the purpose of ascertaining their views on the matter, Captains Whiteford and Moss were appointed delegates on behalf of the brigades to wait upon the above at the earliest convenience.

Concert. —On Tuesday evening a concert was given in the school-room of the Independent Church by the choral society in connection with the church. The room was crowded, and the applause bestowed on the different performers proved how thoroughly enjoyable was the entertainment. Mr Flood presided at the piano, and acted as conductor, and the manner in which the pieces were rendered reflected the hignest credit upon that gentleman. The instrumental portion of the performance was most noticeable, consisting of the overture to “Tancredi,” played as a duet, and brilliantly executed by Mr Flood and a lady performer ; and a clarionet solo from the opera of “ Ernani,” by a gentleman who kindly gave his assistance on the occasion. The highest praise is due to the members of this society for their endeavors to preserve a taste for good music in Wellington, and we would suggest that they should expand their operations by getting together the musical talent of the city, both vocal and instrumental, and then give a concert in the Odd Fellows’ Hall. Indeed, the nucleus of a really good Philarmonic .Society is already formed, and with the addition of a string band, such an entertainment might be given as would at once establish it as a success. The following is the programme of Tuesday evening’s concert Overture, piano; chorus, “ Awake Eolian Harp trio, “ Lordly Gallants song, “ Mother Kissed me in my Dream;” chorus, “From Oberon;” duet, “ Larboard Watch ;” song and chorus, " Call me not back ;” opera chorus, “ When Life in its Beauty overture to u Tancredi,” piano ; chorus, “In Summer’s Cool Shade;” trio, “Lightly Tread;” song, “Come Home, Father ;” chorus, “ Bells of . St. Michael’s Tower;” solo, clarionet; duet, “Come, o’er the Moonlit Sea ;” song, “ The Lost Child ;” chorus, “Swiftlyfrom the Mountain’s Brow;” “ God Save the Queen.” Mr BraniGan, says an Auckland correspondent, is sufficiently recovered to realise his sad condition, and everyone seems to feel for his misfortune. Now it is understood how some peculiarities that made him unpopular were, perhaps, owing to the gradual approach of a fearful malady. Every care is being taken for his comfort by express orders of the Defence Minister, who, I hear, first apprehended the true state of affairs, and took measures accordingly some days before the arrest was found indispensable.*'

White upon Brown. — A correspondent •writing from Auckland says that a poor Maori woman named Anne Nero was savagely maltreated by two “ Chancery lane nymphs.” The attack was of such a brutal nature that it is thought the Maori woman will lose one of her eyes. The “ nymphs” were fined £lO each, or the option ot taking 2 months in gaol. Fire at Napier. —We learn by the Napier papers that a fire broke out on the 20th, in a house occupied by Mrs Bell in Shakespere road, by which several houses were burnt. Six of them were occupied respectively by Messrs Webber, Grant, Simmon, Flynn, Brett, and Mrs Bell. The seventh was used by the Yolunteer band as a practice room. Three of the houses belonged to Mrs Bell and were insured in the Yictoria for £2lO ; others were insured in the Alliance and Imperial. Mr M'Lean at the Bay ob Islands.— The Auckland correspondent of the Hawke’s Bay “ Herald ” says :—This visit of the Defence Minister to Ngapuhi has been misrepresented here as a influence an election pending in the Bay of Islands district. Conversing with some Northern chiefs who came to Auckland lately, I enquired if there was any truth about the Defence Minister interfering in the election referred to; the unanimous reply was “porange tenei korero.” I further learned that there could have been no inducement to interfere, as Mr M'Lean knew long ago that Northern Maoris would support no hostile candidate. The misrepresentation I am told has been partly traced to a partisan of Mr Carleton. The same may be said of the yarn got up about securing Mr Skeet’s return for Tauranga. The simple fact is, as no other vessel was leaving for the East Coast, Mr Skeet applied for and obtained a passage in the Luna. In former days many of your readers have been saved tedious delay by enjoying the same privilege in the Sturt or St. gilda—a privilege for which many a poor man has also good reason to be thankful to Mr M‘Lean.

The late Auckland Incendiarism.—A correspondent of the “ H. B. Herald” says, of the late fire raising, which threw some of the people of Auckland into considerable uneasiness :—Hithereto, not a particle of evidence has appeared to connect any one of our real laboring population with the perpetration of incendiarism. There is some evidence tending to show that the kerosene store, Mechanic’s Bay, was wilfully fired, as most of us imagine, by some one of tl?e sturdy vagrants who infest our streets. The burning of the ship City of Auckland, and the Symonds street .Music Hall, is probably due to fervid summer heats, and reckless pipe-smoking amongst combustible materials,

A Desperate Character.—As a specimen of the class of men with which the gaol authorities have to deal, we take the following as an illustration, occurring, as it did, in one of our principal thoroughfares, Molesworth street,, on Tuesday afternoon. About 3 p.m., Henry f Levetti, a prisoner undergoing a sentence of two years’ imprisonment with hard labor, for several robberies committed at the Hutfc about eighteen months ago, being tired of the dull monotony of the pick and shovel, sought to , amuse himself by getting up a diversion of his ” own, and commenced by cursing her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, and all the Royal family, to a fearful extent. The officer in charge, (Overseer Thomas Jackson) being naturally a loyal subject, immediately ordered him to desist, and go on with his work. This he positively refused to do, and continued his abuse of her Majesty with greater vehemence than before, using language of such a description as could only proceed from the mouth of the vilest of scoundrels, and which we hope never again to hear made use of in the public streets of this city. As soon as he had entirely exhausted his vocabulary of choice epithet* upon her Majesty, he then turned his attention to Mr Read (the warden of the gaol), who fell in for his Bhare of abuse, and was honored by as choice a selection of Billingsgate as had been previously bestowed upon the. Queen. This was concluded by a polite intimation, that as soon as he was out of gaol he would murder Mr Read and the whole of his family, without loss of time. It might have been thought that this display of eloquence was sufficient to satisfy the gentleman, but it was not, as the officer, Jackson, was now honored with hi* polite.attention to nearly the same extent, and was also very coolly informed that his days were numbered, and that not only himself,; but Mrs Jackson, and all the little Jacksons, would be quietly despatched some fine morning, after he, Levetti, was liberated, and that he only wished he had his friends Burgess and Levy here with him, and then he would very soon show the public of Wellington what he was capable of doing. The prisoner was brought the following morning before the Yisiting Justices, William Lyon and Edward Pearce, Esqrs., when several additional offences were brought against him by Mr Read. Several witnesses were examined upon oath, who supported the various charges, which were clearly proved. The prisoner was thereupon ordered to be kept in solitary confinement for a month, to be afterwards kept in irons for three calendar months, a punishment which he richly deserves. We hope it will prove a warning not only to him but to all others of a similar stamp. The Roman Catholics at Greymouth, says the “Freeman,” are making large additions and improvements to their chapel, which, when completed, will, we are informed, make it the handsomest church on the coast, and will afford sitting accommodation to over 400 persons. The style adopted is the early English or pointed, and on the cruciform plan.

Cheap Railways. —The Quebec and Gosford wooden railway, which is 35 miles in length and has a guage of four feet eight and a half inches, admits of a speed of 20 or 30 miles an hour for ordinary trains,, and the whole cost including right of way, grading, track and rolling stock complete, was only £1,200 a mile. Patriotic and Charitable. —The “Nation” has acknowledged the receipt of £596, forwarded to Ireland from the West Coast of the Middle Island, to assist the wives and children of the political prisoners; and this day (says the “'Freeman” of February Bth), Mr Michael Dowling, Secretary, and Mr Perotti, treasurer of the Paroa French Patriotic Relief Fund has sent to Melbourne a draft for £389 9s 6d to be forwarded Home to assist the wives and children, and widows and orphans of the slain. The Haleord Antidote. —The natives in the northern parts of the Australian continent. are in the habit, it appears, of using poisoned arrows in their fights. One of these wounded one of the parties sent to the Northern Territory by the Government of South Australia, and it is stated that his life was saved by the injection of ammonia into the viens by the help of one of the small syringes invented and manufactured in Melbourne for the purpose. A Sign ob the Times. —lt appears from our American files that the American Legisture has a new sensation in store for it pretty soon. Colored representatives are now found in both Houses of the Legislature, and according to appearances the representatives of the Red men will soon take their places beside" them. The “ Herald” says that at the grand council of all the tribes of the Indian territory, now in session at Okmulgee, it has been determined to unite together into a confederation, adopt a constitution republican in form, and in due time apply for admission as one of the States of the Union. N. S. Wales. — In the “ Sydney Journal of Commerce” of the 4th instant, the- Customs revenue of the colony for the last three years is published. The gross totals are: —For 1868, £658,695 16s 6d ; for 1869, £748,830, Is lOd ; for 1875, £747,823 10s 7d. It will thus be seen that the amount for 1870, is somewhat less than that for 1869. , • Women to the Front.— Among those who have been elected to the London School Board, including peers, city merchants, members of parliament, artisans, clergymen, nonconformist divines, there were also the names of Dr Elizabeth Garrett, Mrs Gray, and Miss Emily' Davies. The highest of the male candidates scored 1-8,000, whilst Miss Garrett, M.D., swept in with a queenly train of 40,000. The “ Wanganui Chronicle” says:—“ Wesleyan Ministerial Change.—We understand that the Rev. Mr Olliver may be expected here early in April to succeed the Rev. Mr Morley, who is designated for Lyttelton, and whose leaving Wanganui will be much re-.. gretted by an attached congregation and * large number of outside friendf." '

* Register ! Register ! Register! —We ■would earnestly direct the attention of all persons entitled to be placed on the electoral roll, to register their claims at once; for if they omit to do so before the 31st March next, they will forego the privilege of voting for another twelve months. The necessary forms can be obtained at the Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Presbyterian Sabbath School, Willis Street.— On Monday afternoon the children attending this school met at their school-room, Willis street, at half-past 1 o’clock, to the number of 150, and marched to Mr Sidey’a paddocks, Hopper street, accompanied by their teachers. On reaching the paddock, the children separated, and engaged in the amusement which best suited their fancy. The elder boys engaged in the noble and athletic game of cricket, others preferred foot ball, and having chosen sides, entered con amove into the game. The elder girls had a game of teazy, and the younger ones found full employment at three swings that had been erected for their special amusement. About 4 o’clock the childred sat down on. the green sward, being ranged in rows, bo as to be more readily served. Grace having been sung, the children fell to with a will, the ex<hilirating exercise that they had had having evidently sharpened their appetites. It was astonishing with what rapidity the plates of cake, buns, &c., disappeared ; and it was indeed a pleasing sight to witness their happy faces so full of youthful onjoyment. Having enjoyed themselves to their heart’s content, the children resumed their play ; and the visitors and teachers had their tea. There was abundance of everything, and both old and young enjoyed themselves most heartily. The children left the ground about 7 o’clock, but previous to leaving gave three hearty cheers fer Mr Paterson, three for Mr Fraser, three for their teachers, and three for Mr Sidey, who had so generously allowed them the use of his paddocks to hold their festival in.

Impounding. — A very lengthy case —Sims - ▼. Bould—occupied the attention of the Resident Magistrate all Monday afternoon. The case was an action for £SO damages for the non-delivery of certain sheep impounded by one Lowes in the Johnsonville public pound, defendant being pound keeper. The sheep had been pounded at varions times, but had always disappeared during the night. Bould had sued plaintiff, and obtained judgment for the amount of trespass and pound fees. Sims then said he missed sheep to the value of £SO and sued for the amount. The defence set up was that the sheep after being let out, by whom it was not known, went back to their own paddock. Ultimately judgment was given for defendant, with costs £ll.

Fish Preseeying. —The “New Zealand Herald” says : —Mr Robert Peace, residing near Wangarei, has prepared a hundred tins of mullet, containing each a pound of the fresh fish preserved. These tins are as neatly prepared as any of the imported goods of this kind, and in smell and taste the fish is every way equal to the preserved salmon sold in the shops. Messrs Roberts and Co. have taken the whole of the first consignment of fish and have expressed their belief that an acquaintance with the preparation on the part of the public only is required to force the herrings, salmon &c., out. The greatest present difficulty is the supply of fish, which is somewhat uncertain.

Accident. —Saturday’s “ Mercury” says:— On Saturday night as one of Mr Hooker’s teams, laden with 1500 feet of timber, was going over the Rimutaka hill, on its way to Wellington, in crossing one of the bridges about half way up the waggon capsized down the gully, causing v, the death of one of tho horses, and breaking the shafts of the dray. After some trouble the horses were rescued, and the wreck of the timber recovered. On tho same evening one of the horses, belonging to the same proprietor, that had been put with the rest of the team, into the paddock of Mr Abbott, at Featherston, had his leg broken, and was shot on Thursday morning. District Prize Firing, Pahautanui.— This company has been very successful in competing for the distrieb prizes. It fired on Saturday under the superintendence of Colonel Reader. For the first set of prizes Private George Jones scored 44, taking with this score the first prize in the Hutt, Taita, and Porirua District. The next best scorers were those of Privates William Jones senr, James Barrow, and Jesse Barrow, who each made 37. For the second set of prizes Pahautanui is equally fortunate; Private Jesse Barrow, scoring 52, the highest number yet obtained by the various 'competing companies. W. Jones, senr, again took a second place with a score of 49, James Barrow following him with a score of 47. It is very creditable to P-« hautanui to have been able, with a small and recently .formed' company, to distance so many older companies. .Wheat Growing in Waikato. —ln a paper read before the New Zealand Agricultural. Society at Otabuhu, Mr Goodfellow said the Waikato was not adapted for wheat growing. Mr Bridgeman, who resides between Cambridge and Hamilton, has left at our (“ Cross”) .publishing, office a fine specimen of wheat grown on his land, which yielded forty Bushels to the acre. The average of yield in Adelaide is from fifteen to twenty bushels per acre.' The wheat was examined by some exeellent judges yesterday, and pronounced to be fully equal to Adelaide wheat, and worth from 6s to 6s 6d per bushel. Unfortunately for the producer, it does not pay. to send the wheat into, town; but were the railway completed to Waikato, a stimulus would be given to wheat growing, and large quantities would be sent in. A Substantial Present.— We learn from the Auckland papers that the Provincial Government have lately presented the cricketers of Auckland city with a handsome iron roller over 22 owt.

New Zealand University. —By a General Government Gazette published on Saturday, we see that the following gentlemen have been appointed the Council of “ The University of New Zealand—Sir George Alfred Arney, Chief Justice, Auckland ; the Right Rev. Dr. Croke, Roman Catholic Bishop, Auckland ; Hugh Carleton, Esq., Auckland ; the Hon. Robert Stokes, M.L.C., Wellington ; the Hon. Morgan Stanislaus Grace, M.D., M.L.C., Wellington; the Hqq. William Fitzherbert, Wellington ; the Rev. Thomas Buddie, Wellington; James Hector, Esq, M.D., F.R.S., Wellington ; his Honor Oswald Curtis, Nelson; the Hon. Edward William Stafford, Nelson ; the Right Rev. Henry John Chitty Harper, Bishop of Christchurch, Canterbury ; Henry John Tancred, Esq, Canterbury ; the Hon. John Barton Arundel Acland, M.L.C., Canterbury ; his Hon. William Rolleston, Canterbury ; his Hon. Henry Samuel Chapman, Judge, Otago; his Hon. James Macandrew, Otago; the Hon. Captain Tlios. Fraser, M.L C.,. Otago; the Hon. Henry John Miller, M.L.C., Otago ; the Hon. Robert Campbell, M.L.C., Otago; the Rev. William Johnston, Otago.

Official Notice. —The Government printer begs to inform the public that postage stamps can only be received by him in payment of accounts from places where post office orders are not procurable, or in cases where the amounts are very small. Duties stamps cannot under any circumstances be received in future. Shipment of Gold. —Yesterday afternoon the Bank of New Zealand, Grahamstown, shipped 10,0860 z of gold to Auckland per steamer Golden Crown, making the total shipments for the fortnight slightly exceed 14,0000 z.

Botanic Reserve. —We are pleased to notice the improvements being made in the Botanic Reserve. In addition to the valuable plan of labelling the trees and shrubs with their botanical and native names on printed cards covered with glass in tin frames, a number of seats are placed at the most convenient points for obtaining views. We hope that visitors will be careful in attending to the regulations. • A Wesleyan Church has been opened at Kakanga Auckland, the opening services being conducted by the Rev. W. J. Williams. Gymnastics. —Another attempt to establish a gymnasium is being made in Auckland, under the mangement of Mr Walker. The terms are stated at 25s the half year. This entitles the member to the classes, and the free use of the gymnasium whenever open ; and some sixty members are said to have joined. The subscription is considered moderate. Think of that Wellington gymnasts, who let ours die which only charged 30s a year! A Novel Clock. —The “ Lyttelton Times” says:—A very unique clock is to be seen at the shop of Messrs Coates & Co., Colombo street. It is a new invention, and a decided novelty. The object aimed at is to combine a night lamp and a clock together, which is most satisfactorily accomplished. . First there is a black marble and gilt stand, similar to those of ordinary lamps, and on thia is placed one of the small French clocks in round brass cases, generally kept on mantelpieces, the only difference being that it is laid on its back, and the motion is vertical instead of horizontal. Above the clock, and standing upon it, is the oil glass for the lamp, with chimney complete, and around them a small globe. On this the hours and quarters are painted in black figures, and a single hand below reaches up to the figures. As.the clock goeß, so the lamp globe revolves, and the time is shown by the hand referred to, which, being stationary, obviates all necessity of touching the clock except to wind it up. As an appendage to a sick room we should consider the clock invaluable, and even in ordinary use it will be found exceedingly useful. Whilst on this subject we should also notice a varied assortment of jewellery and plate, manufactured on the premises. Notable amongst them are some filigree studs, each containing forty-two pieces ; eye-glasses with monogram handles; and a beautiful silver chalice and plate manufactured to order. The workmanship in each instance is highly creditable to the manufacturers, and also, let us add, to the province.

Advantage of Keeping Farm Accounts. —The first year I found that to raise an acre of potatoes cost me, including seed, $24, and that I received from them S6B. The next year I put the same acre to tobacco, and found, instead of a profit of $47, a'profit above expenses of manure and labor, of $194, and my land left in far better condition than after my crop of potatoes. I found in 1865 that my profit on my corn was only sl7 per acre, while an acre of cabbages gave me a net profit, above marketing and all expenses, of $212. Now, if I had kept no account of those crops, I should have known that my tobacco and cabbages had paid me better than corn and potatoes, but should not have realised how much better; neither would I have known just what per centage my load of manure, which I had purchased, had paid me. Since I first began to keep farm accounts I am fully satisfied that I have cleared double the money which I had done before, and I fully believe that it was mainly due to this practice. I Have been enabled by this means to do what every farmer ought to strive to do, that is, to improve his farm, to beautify his home, and to make home a place where his children will delight to stay, where happiness and contentment will reign supreme. —‘“Boston Cultivator.” Strange Wine Bibbers. —The “ South Australian Advertiser” of the 25t,h states : A large wine-maker in tho hills has received a letter' from his manager, giving a deplorable account of the ravages of insects, which bore their way through the casks and cause a great waste of wine. We give the following extract from the letter. We may add that we have been informed that washing the casks on the outside with kerosene will prevent the

ravages of these pests:—“ The casks are causing us a great amount of trouble, or rather those insects, specimens of which I showed you. Their ravages are very great. A pail used on Friday, an I then washed and turned upside down to dry, I found this morning with seven perforations, all begun and completed through since that time. I have caught several of these insects in my hands at the cellar door. They seem to fly in swarms aud attack almost all kinds of wood that is at all flavored with wine, or is in any measure saccharine.. I believe that we have driven pegs into more than 100 of their holes to-day. I believe that they were brought in those old ports. I have found numerous 'dead specimens on the painted ends of the casks, but some have bored through since the paint was put on. I think these must have been in the casks prior to the painting. The holes arc so large that an ordinary lucifer match will pass through easily. I have not seen any marks of them upon the vats as yet, but I fear they will attack these also.”

A Moving Bog. —The Bog of Curris, situated between Ballingar and Ca9tlerea, near Enniskillen, has been very active of late, showing a tendency to change its site, which is not at all agreeable to those residing in the neighborhood. It is inclined to move on to the upland, having already covered nearly twentyfive acres of upland belonging to Mr Kelly of Castlerea, and there are several other sufferers, nearly 170 acres being destroyed. Several cottars adjoining have lost their potatoes and hay stacked on the land. It has, besides, stopped the course of a river, and carried away a wooden bridge. Up to the present it still manifests a roving tendency, and a great deal of alarm exists in consequence among the residents in the locality.—“ Belfast News Letter.”

The Lost Found. —The “ Wairarapa Mercury” of Saturday last says : —A man named James Noble lost himself in the bush near Morrison’s run on Sunday last. Constable Byrn went in search but could not find any trace, and it was not until Friday that he was discovered on the Waihenga Race Course, having been four days without food. Charges on Shipping Grain.— The correspondent of the “ Timaru Herald” says that the charges on sending 850 bushels of wheat to England amounted to £93 14s 2d ; the grain realised 3s 3d per bushel, so after deducting expenses the producer received about Is per bushel. Iron in Auckland. —The “ Cross” says : —Mr F. White has left at our printing-office for the inspection of the curious in such matters, specimens of ironstone, and fused metal obtained therefrom. He states that the ironstone can be procured in immense quantities in this province at a very trifling coat. -

Alleged Safety of Dr. Livingstone.— The “Cape Argus” of the.27th October says : —The “ Friend,” to hand by last night’s post, says:—“Dr. Livingstone.—By the Natal papers, just received, the above great African traveller, is once more reported to be alive, and to have arrived in safety at Mozambique. Curiously enough, this intelligence is said to have come from the same source, a Portuguese one, as the news .last week published by us announcing the certain death of the same gentleman.” Disposing of Wives. —The “Territorial Enterprise” says that about eight or nine months since a man living in the northern part of the city went out in the eastern part to seek his fortune in the new mines of that section, leaving his wife and one child here in town. Some seven months ago a disciple of St. Crispin persuaded the White Pine widow to take up her abode with him in a house which he furnished for her. The new pair lived together for about seven months, when a few days since the genuine husband returned. Of course there was trouble in the camp, but after some quarrelling the two men agreed to play a game of s'even-up for the woman. The game came off last Saturday night, and the husband won his wife back by just “two points.” The man claimed his wife back, and the man of leather could not say but what he had fairly won her. The woman preferred the shoemaker, but the husband and winner was determined, to have his own. He packed up what furniture they possessed, and last Sunday evening, with all his household goods and gods, left by Woodruff and Ebnor’s Fast Freight waggon for California. When the waggon left North C. street there was quite a scene. A crowd of nearly one hundred persons had collected to see the husband carry away his “ stake,” and there was much merriment over the romantic affair. The woman cried, and wanted to stay with the shoemaker, and the shoemaker cried at parting with the treasure he had lost by not holding enough trumps. He asked some of the crowd if they thought he would be arrested if he attempted to take the women out of the waggon. They told him he had lost her “ on the square,” and he must bear it like a man, so the waggon moved on, and soon the fair one was “ gone from his gaze.” Against this picture from the Wild West, is one from a more civilised region:—■ A man living in Freetown, Bury, England, “ after due announcement” put up his wife for sale the other night, the two having become mutually tired of each other. There were three bids—4s, 6s, and 8s —and for the last generous offer the woman was “ knocked down” to a neighbor, for whom she had a previous liking. The “ lot” was borne away with a rope round its neck. Upper Waikato. —The Auckland correspondent of the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald ” says : —A queer state of affairs prevails in Upper Waikato. For three months his Maori Majesty, the “ Prinoess Sophia,” and the king's councillors have been almost constantly intoxicated on ,rum, purveyed from Raglan to the Royal precincts. This, you will perceive, accounts for the excitement that prevailed at Tokangamutu when friendly chiefs went up to demand the surrender of Todd’s murderers.

My informant, who I maystate en passant, is thoroughly reliable, being a good Maori linguist, and has lived amongst.the natives over thirty years, believes the king party is dissolving, and that the measures taken by : the Defence Minister have already hastened the dissolution. My. informant is further of opinion that premature threats of invasion would rather impede than forward satisfaction for Todd’s death ; and thinks that whenever Tawhiao and his councillors are in a condition to listen to reason, they will see the futility of resistance to fair demands. I understand that Kingites crossing the aukati are very quiet in demeanor, and, are good customers to Waikato storekeepers ; some of them spending forty or fifty pounds at a visit. • Dissent. —The ** Baptist Magazine” says it would not be surprised if the present generation- should see Dr Norman Macleod, or Mr Newman Hall, or Mr Spurgeon in the pulpit of St Paul’s or Westminister Abbey. Auckland. —A late Gazette contains a petition signed by a number of householders, praying that Auckland may be constituted a borough under the “ Municipal Corporations Act, 1867.” ■ . ' •t:

.Latest from Ohinemuri.— The “ Taranaki News” publishes the following from a Thames correspondent:—News indicative of a startling change in the policy that has so long governed the Upper Thames ; natives ha* reached Shortland, and is neither more nor leas than an acknowledgment on. the part of Te Hira of his inability to keep the country much longer closed to Europeans. It appear* that he has written to a pakeha friend of his advising him to be in readiness for the opening of Ohinemuri, which must take place soon. That this is no canard is vouched for by one of my intimate friends, who saw and perused the letter in question. Ido believe that the inevitable result is close at hand, and we shall be able to point with exultation to the magnificent stretch of gold country extending from Mount Aroha to Capa Colville open to and occupied by Europeans. ■>

The Victorian Squatters.— The writer from “ Under the Verandah” in the Melbourne “ Leader” thus mourns the declension of squat*ocracy :—The old race of squatters is almost extinct. Nearly every station is held in the name of a banker, a money-lender, or a squatting agent. The jovial fellows, who in days gone by used to haunt-Scotts’s and the Melbourne Club, who drove four-in-hand ana tandem, drank champagne and moselle and took fine houses for the summer at Brighton and St. Kilda are now rubbed out. They have either sought the remote sqlifcudes of Queensland, Fiji, or a back block, or else they are overseers on the stations which were once their own. I suppose the country is the gainer by the change, but there were good qualities among the shepherd kings. They were men of thews and sinews, practised a rough hospitality, and in their own way were not devoid of genSrosity. But the world has grown too civilised for them, and, like the aborignes whom they have displaced, they have almost died out. ; New" Zealand Flax.— The following is from an Otago contemporary :—Nearly twelve months ago a number of the offsets of flax roots were, for the purpose of experiment, transplanted into prepared ground at the . Botanical Gardens, the leaves left on them being cut into a fan shape, the highest part of which was eight or nine inches above the ground. These small roots have since widened out considerably. The leaves are now on an average from four and a half feet to five feet in height, a result which ought to be considered satisfactory. From the flax seed sown at the same time there are now plants, with leaves having an average length of two feet. About forty roots of the variety known among tjie Maoris as the Tihore, brought from the North Island some two months ago, look well. They were brought down packed in a box, and seemed, when it was opened, in a withered, half-rotten state: They have, however, recovered wonderfully, some of the leaves having Already shot up to a height of two feet. The leaves of this kind are thinner, and, when held up.to the light, more transparent than those of the other flax, and the lines of the fibre look prettier. The flax plants, when thus taken car® of, have even an ornamental appearance, instead of the dilapidated, broken down look which they wear on open lands. There is also a fine bed of the true New Zealand flax, bearing at this time a white flower. This flax the curator intends to cut, steep, and ascertain- its quality. •; Silvering Glass. —The busidess of silver* ing glass has been set on foot in Melbourne within the last few months. It is new to these colonies, but has some promise ef becoming well established. An advantage in favor of the local workman is the fact that the importation of silvered glass is attended with more, expense and greater trouble than the shipment of plain sheet glass, which is the “ raw material” of the silverer.- The process of silvering seems to be a simple one, requiring a moderate amount of plant, and a few skilful hands. A slate table with a heating apparatus beneath it, a boiler, and a supply of pure water, and some chemicals constitute the principal part of the stock, A sheet of plain glass requiring to be silvered is laid' out upon the surface of the slate table' .which is from 12 to i. 5 feet long, and above 9 broad>j(so that several sheets 8 feet by ,3, or one or two very large sheets may be.done; if necessary.) Tubes bearing |team front the. boiler, and passing along .the udder surface of the table, serve hs the' heaters. The table is usually heated to a temperature of 140 deg. Fahr, when the sheet of glass is placed upon it. The process employed has for some yesrs 1 superseded the quicksilvering process in England, not only. by reaso# of its being more certain in its results, but Decause it does not injure the health of the workmen, Dili* tilled water is largely used in the (process, ordinary water being quite out of place, the whole of the distilling is done with the aid ot the boiler used for heating the table.