News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 13, 22 April 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

The Missing- Maii< Letters.—We are informed by direction of the PostmasterGeneral, that the portion of the January mail which, not having arrived last month, was supposed to have been burnt, was received by the City of Melbourne. It reached San Fran-, cisco the day after the departure of the steamer with the mail received last month. Sporting.—Messrs Harris and Bird were passengers by the Phoebe on Tuesday, en route for Christchurch, from Auckland. After fulfilling their engagements in that place, they proceed to Dunedm, whereto expect to exhibit their astonishing powers —in conjunction with Hewitt, who follows in a few days—on Queen's Birthday. On their return trip to Auckland, on their way to Sau Francisco, they intend to stay one day in -this town, to allow the Wellington people to judge of their respective merits. This early intimation may give oar local athletes time to train, and so prepare themselves to encounter the English and Australian champions. Flax.—-The Canterbury Flak Association have resolved to publish in a pamphlet form the information collected by them with reference to the flax industry. Highland Corps.—A very well attended meeting of gentlemen anxious to see a Highland Volunteer Corps formed in Wellington met on Mondaynight at ths Empire Hotel. Mr Geo. Crawford occupied the chair. Before the proceedings had been far advanced more than 50 gentlemen were present, all of whom bound themselves to join the corps. It was then proposed that the services of the corps be offered to the Government by the chairman, and agreed upon. A committee was also appointed to decide upon and ascertain the cost of clothing the corps in the proper costume, to report at the next meeting, to be called by advisement this day week. One enthusiastic gentleman attended the meetiag in full Highland costume, and of course was rewarded by being made the centre of observation ; and we may add that the inspection gave general satisfaction as the dress was pronounced faultless. A Ducking.—A young lad named Eeed fell off the Queen's wharf, near the ship England on Sunday. For some time the iittle fellow was in considerable danger. The mussels on the piles afforded him a temporary help, but did not support him long. Help was, however, soon at hand, and the youngster rescued. Mbs Bentham's Raeple was got off very expeditiously on Monday night at Doneeker's. The throwing was exceptionally high, there being two forty-sixes, three forty-fours, and various other high throws. Mr Cooper, and Mr Rowley each threw forty-six, and the latter gentleman offered £2O to Mr Cooper for his throw, which was declined. Singularly enough they tied a second time; but on the third throw, Mr Cooper, who had backed his luck, proved the winner of the first prize. Oamaru.—The local paper understands that the population of Oamaru is, apparently, as per returns just made up, 1800, being an increase since last census of about 400. Gymnasium:.—We mentioned in our last issue that the managing committee who have taken in hand to re-establish the Wellington Gymnasium were going about their work in such a manner as to leave little doubt of their speedv success. We are glad to learn we only did them the credit which they deserve. Judging from the success they met with on thf ir first day's canvassing, the building will soon be in process of erection. Shares representing £l2O were taken up yesterday, so that there can be little difficulty in obtaining shareholders to take up the remaining £lßo—the whole cost not being estimated at more than £3OO. Mr Halcombe, Mr Pearce, and other members of the Provincial Council, have promised their assistance to obtain the grant of a site on the Eeclaimed Land; and very few members, we should imagine, will be found to oppose such a trifling donation for so useful an object. The Government, however, will not be asked for the land until the £3OO necessary for the erection and appointment of the building has been raised. Though the actual cost of the erection will not pro.bably exceed £270, the other £3O will be required to lay on gas and water. From the fact that the. various volunteer corps of the city have promised to contribute an annual, sum for the use of the gymnasium as a drill shed, and the certain income sure to arise in the ordinary way, the committee calculate upon being able to pay four-fifths of the receipts as dividends to shareholders. Messrs Bannatyne and Pearce have kindly consented to act as trustees for the ground. As an inducement to take shares a bonus of 12i per cent will be allowed, so that by a person becoming both a subscriber ami shareholder he will effect the saving of his sub* acription money. . .

Fire at the Hutt.—-The glare of a fire in the Hutt valley was seen in town on Saturday night. We learn since that it proceeded from a barn belonging to Mr H. Churcber, Taita. Rifle Match at the Hutt.—We learn that the City Volunteers have accepted a challenge from the Hutt Yolunteers to fire a match—twelve on each side—the ranges to be 400, 500, and 600 yards, kneeling at the first, and any position at the latter two ranges. The match will come off on Wednesday, the 26th, at the Hutt. The General Assemblt has been described aB " rotten to the core." This remark, if applied to some supporting pillars bared by the alterations now going on, is strictly true. We saw some timber yesterday, which crumbled into powder at the slightest pressure. Apropos of this decay, a member of the Upper House, a denizen of Wellington, well-known for his sarcastic wit, mude a very good conundrum, which may not be generally known.— " Why is Hansard like the House of Assembly ? Because it is full of dry rot." Land Transfer Act.—The anxiety of the Christchurch people to have brokers appointed under the Land Transfer Act, may be inferred from the fact that no fewer than fifteen, gentlemen having found the necessary securities and paid the fees, have been licensed as brokers. In Timaru, we understand, Mr Moorhouse has admitted six; and at Oamaru, and Dunedin, whither he goes next, numerous applications await him. ' Progbess of the Fiji.—The exports for 1870 from the Islands amounted to £92,000 sterling, and the increase of population was 716. Illustrated Papeh.—A very interesting number of the " Illustrated New Zealand Herald" reaches Us this month;.and if well selected reading matter and spirited illustrations go for anything, we think this number will prove most acceptable to Home readers, being a happy combination of Australasian scenes, with one British celebrity, and an ever memorable scene from English history —the Pilgrim Fathers. Wai-nuioMata Bifle Match. —The members of the Wai-nui o-mata Rifle Volunteers met at the rifle butts on Saturday, the Bth inst. The match was between the married and single, and the day was beautifully fine, and the snooting good on both sides. The married men, however, proved the victors by 33 points. After the match, the ladies of the valley, always ready to promote enjoyment and to join in a day's pleasure, provided lunch. After lunch was disposed of, and the ladies cheered to the echo for their kind provision and the pleasure of their company, a variety of open air games were indulged in during the remainder of the day, which proved a pleasant day's diversion to all. Another match is to be fired on the Queen's Birthday. A Smart Capture.—A robbery was committed at the Hutt on Saturday morning about half-past ten, and by 2 o'ciock the same evening Sergeant Monagnan had the thief in the look-up. The man's name is M'Curquadale, and the theft was of some clothing belonging to a surveyor named Smith while absent from his hut. The thief will be brought up this morning. Matthew Gledhill Antey, Esq., Paymaster R.N., died onboardH.M.S.Challenger on the passage to England, on January 28th, 1871, after an illness of some duration. MrAntey entered the Royal Navy in 1849, as assistant clerk, was promoted to assistant-pay-master in 1855, and to the rank of paymaster in 1858. He served in her Majesty's ships Scourge, Arethusa, Britannia, Royal Albert, Rodney, Raleigh, Racer, Forte, Magicienne, and Challenger. He was secretary to the present Admiral, the Hon. Sir Henry Keppel, K.C.8., on three occasions—in the Naral Brigade before Sebastopol, on the China station, and on the Cape and Brazilian stations. He had received for his services the following decorations: —English Crimean medal, with two clasps; Turkish Order of the Medjidie; Turkish Crimean medal; Sardinian Crimean medal j English China medal, with one clasp. Mr Antey was well known to a large circle of acquaintances in many parts of the world, as well as to a great number of naval officers, and his loss will be much regretted. Acclimatisation. —The first step towards the formation of an Acclimatisation Society in this city was taken en Wednesday afternoon, when a number of gentlemen met with ■ that object in the Maori House, Colonial Museum. J. C. Crawford, Esq, R.M., was called to the chair. Mr T. L. Travers, who is perhaps the Qttest man amongst us to explain the various advantages to be derived from such an institution, and who has the merit of having first taken the matter in hand, said a more favorable opportunity for the establishment of such a society could not be desired. After some discussion, in the course of which several gentlemen complimented Mr Travers for bringing the matter forward, the more practical part of the business was gone into, and the following provisions agreed upon : —The qualification for life membership was fixed at £10; annual membership, £2 2s for the first year and £1 Is per annum afterwards. Messrs Travers, J. C. Crawford, Dr Hector, R. J. Duncan, Dr Grace, Dr Johnston, E. Pearce, Wm Bannatyne, Izard, J. R. George, Palmer, and G. Bennett, were appointed a committee to prepare draft rules, and to see. the governors of the Botanical Gardens as to the possibility of obtaining a portion of thosegardens for acclimatisation purposes. A meeting of thecommittee is to be held at the same place on Mondaynext at 4 o'clock, and the first general meeting at an early date in May. By that time it is hoped the society will be in a position to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the contemplated visit to England on Acclimatisation matters of Mr Bills to secure a suppiy of insectivorous birds. Mr Bills will also act in a similar way for the society of Otago. It was resolved to invite his Excellency the Governor to become a patron of the society

Our Cricket Ground. —The cricket season being over, our cricketers, we hear, are about fco apply their energies towards having the new ground completed and made worthy of the city. We wish them all success. Everybody admits that our own local clubs deserve a much better ground than the present miserable makeshift. A moderate sura judiciously expended would make a great. difference for next season. Why don't they endeavor to get a pavilion erected? "Coming events oast their shadows before," and we are much mistaken if we do not see some important matches played in Wellington next year. West Coast Land Doings.—The County Council of Weßtland has passed two important resolutions to the effect that 17,000 acre*, twelve miles from Hokitika, should be laid open for sale, at 10s per acre, and 50,000 acres at the Haast River, at the same price, on small yearly payments. Well Informed—The "Oamaru Times'* announces that the General Assembly will meet for the despatch of business in the first or second week of July. It also publishes a rumor to the effect that Mr Vogel has been accredited to the Washington Cabinet by the British Government. Clutha Railway.—The Otago "Times" says that work on section 1 of the Clutha railway goes on apace. Some sixty men are now employed, and the place where they are at work presents a busy scene, such as any spot in the neighborhood of the city has not exhibited for some time past. The site of operations is the furthest side of the rise between Dunedin and Caversham. A gang of metii are also employed at the quarries hard by, whence debris is being carted for use in forming a line of earthwork. Traction Engines.—ln Yictoria the proposal has been mooted to form a steam-eariage company, with a capital of £25,000 in £1 shares, for carrying goods between the seaboard and the termini of the railways by means of traction engines. Accidents. —At Wanganui, on Wednesday afternoon last, a little girl, daughter of Mr Chavannes, was ridden over by some horsemen, and had her thigh-Jbone broken. —Another accident occurred,at St John's Bush, by which Mrs Merrion fell into the cellar of Mr Cathro's Hotel, and broke her thigh. Being upwards of eighty years of age, fears are entertained of the result, but so far she is progressing favorably. Another DiscovEßy in Flax Dressing. —The " Taranaki Herald" of the 6th reports that the late gale caused a great injury to vegetation by carrying with it salt spray which has withered up the leaves of plants. Mr Williamson, of St. John's Nursery, noticed its effects on the flax leaf, and found that it produced a chemical effect which enabled him to bare the fibre with his hand, leaving it in that silky and glossy state so much desired by those engaged in the trade. He ha 3 corannfuicated the result of his discovery to Dr. Hector, and we may soon expect to hear the test has been applied, with the result. It is strange that when Dr. Hector submitted the flax to. numerous chemical tests he omitted the almost obvious one, which accident has suggested. Furious Gathering.—A Taranaki paper, in answering enquiries as to what sort of fungus is required by Mr A. Tong, says: —We understand that the South Sea Islanders dispose of a great quantity in barter for cotton goods with those trading there, and get a value of about 2d per lb. The fungi required, we believe, resembles something like a man's ear, and is used by the Chinese as a vegetable. There is another kind of fungus which they use for manufacturing into a sort of pastil to burn in their joss houses. The Mail Contract.—The Auckland " Evening News" seems to be favored with special intelligence. In the issue of the Bth » it states :—The new mail contract is, we observe, published in the Wellington " Advertiser" of the 25th and 27th of March, in extenso. It is what we said it was represented to us as being a contract between Mr Vogel and Mr Stewart, of the firm of Stewart and Collie, of San Francisco, on behalf of Messrs Webb and Holladay, of New York, and is dated March the sth, that is, ten days before Congress is reported to have rejected the proposal to subsidise this or any other steam postal line. We should also mention that Mr H. H. Hall distinctly reported to us that Mr Webb had repudiated this contract between Mr Vogel and Mr Stewart, just as he had repudiated the pre* vious one between Mr Vogel and Mr Neilson. Whether that be so or not, we shall doubtless know for a certainty when the City of Melbourne arrives on the 11th instant, and until then it would be useless to enter on any further discussion on the subject. The Nevada was to leave San Francisco on Friday, March the 31st, and is expected here on or about the 28th of this month. On her arrival, we shall be put in possession of the arrangement under which she comes. Sjjort Hours.—A monument costing £3OO hag been erected by the Trades Association in thd Melbourne Cemetry to the memory of Mr Galloway, the originator of the eight hours movement. About two thousand attended a recent eight hours demonstration in Hyde Park, Sydney. Scab in Sheep.—The " Wanganui Chronicle" says: —We are sorry to learn that scab has been discovered in several flocks of sheep in Rangitikei. Mr M'Kelvie, Mr Winks, and some others, are taking active means for its eradication, but it is a long and expensive process. Another Accident.—The " Chronicle" of the 15th says : —Two men commenced a wrestling bout yesterday evening in Mr Rapley's yard. They ave mates, and there was not a particle of bad humor in the encounter, but it fared badly with one of them, who fell, and we are sorry to say, bioke his leg. He was conveyed to the Hospital, where he now lies.

Thb Sttez Maili Sebvicb. —The entire cost for 1869 to the Australian colonies of the Suez mail, was £94,438 10s. Iron in South Australia.—The "Adelaide Observer" says:—About six miles from Port Victor, in the direction of Mount Jagged, on Crown lands, there are thousands of tons of ironstone, immense blocks cropping out of the ground. A sample, estimated at 65 to 70 per cent, has been left at the "Observer" office by Mr Born, junr. • The Cooper's Creek Whitefexlow.—The Warrego correspondent of the " Pastoral Times" writes:—" With regard to the white man said to be living with the blacks beyond Cooper's Creek, I have not seen Mr SubInspector Gilmour personally since he came in from his first expedition in search of this man, but I have heard that Mr Gilmour is quite convinced of the truth of the report, and the Queensland Government have forwarded six months' supplies to one of the stations furthest out in that direction and have enjoined Mr Gilmour to prosecute the seai'ch ■while he sees the slightest probability of success. He left the police station on the Bullo some time ago with a party of the native police under his command." Snake Antidote. —In the Melbourne "Telegraph," referring to the possibility of an antidote being found in the snake itself, some one Ba y g .—« Over thirty years since, in conversing ■with a South Australian aboriginal, and asking him what he would do if bitten by a snake, he gave me to understand that he would eat the snake to cure the effects of the bite. I have also heard of the same remedy at various times amongst the blacks, and it may be worth remembering." A Western Hotel Story.--Just as a traveller was writing his name on the register of a Leavenworth Hotel, a bedbug appearedaud took its way across the page. The man paused and and remarked : " I've been bled by St. Joe fleas, bitten by Kansas City spiders, and interviewed by Fort Scott greybacks, but I'll be blowed if I was ever in a place before where the bedbugs looked over the hotel register to find out where your room was !" The Masterton Flax Company.—Share's (say? the " Mercury") continue to be taken up by various settlers in small numbers, so the risk will be very small. Mr Eikys expresses his opinion that the investment will pay 40 per cent. Accident.—A little boy, son of Mr War■wick, fell on the "Wanganui Cricket ground on the 9th, and sustained a fracture of the thigh. Beet Sugar Manufacture. —On the authority of M. Gramont, the Secretary of the Sacramento Beet Sugar Company, the " Alta California" has the following in reference to the beets grown in that country, viz :—" That their highest sugar value is in August, before the annual rise of the springs. He reiterates this fact. Tested in August, the Sacramento beets gave 12 per cent of sugar on low land, and 14 per cent on upland. At this time (October) they have lost fully one-half the sugar they had in August, and it i 3 his opinion that this loss will not be regained. The company finds it unprofitable to mill them at this time; but faith is expressed that in December the beets may regain their lost sugar according to the theory we ventured to enunciate. It should be observed that the Sacramento beets had very scant cultivation ; and that they have outgrown the medium size that is best for sugar. The large beets we like to boast of must be checked of their redundancy, probably by close planting. Possibly the big beet has as much sugar, but it is distributed through more bulk, and therefore the per centage is less in proportion to the weight of raw beet. M. Gramont's idea is that, in California, beets for sugar should be gathered in August. But Messrs Bonestal and Otto, of Alvarado, aver that their beets show no such loss of sugar as these of Sacramento. So that we may await further experience to prove if this be a local or a general peculiarity. M. Gramont is, meantime, set right with his company, and whichever theory is correct the fact is clear that California is destined to be a sugar country. [European experience confirms that of M. Gramont.] . Meat Preserving- and Life Assurance. —An English journal has the following amusing speculations on combining the interests of meat-preserving and life assurance : —"The 'Lancet' says that Dr Stein, of Dresden, while lecturing lately on the preservation of food, opened a tin canister of meat preserved by what is known as Apert's method, and prepared by him in 1851. The meat, on examination, it is stated, was found to be as fresh and of as good a flavor as when placed in the canister 19 years previously. It is well worth consideration whether Apert's method might not be made use of by the cautious as a substitute for the ordinary mode of life insurance. A man with only a life income, instead of paying £IOO a year to an insurance office which may perhaps find itself unable to meet its engagements, might expend that sum annually in preserving meat by Apert's method, and on his death bequeath to each of his children and to his wife tins of mutton sufficient to secure them at least against starvation for many years to come ; indeed, a prosperous man who had the good luck to live to an old age might have the satisfaction beforo he died of feeling that he had stored away in tins flocks and herds enough not only to provide for his own ehildren, but also for his descendants to the third or fourth generation." Jockeying the Publicans.—An Australian Jockey Club, that of .Wangaratta, passed tfce following resolution, a copy of which has | been forwarded to all owners of horses about to run at the ensuing meeting:—That each racehorse owner be informed by the secretary in writing that their horses will be disqualified if they put up at the premises of a publican who does not subscribe £2 2s per annum to the club; also, if their horses are shod at any blacksmith's shop whose owner does not subscribe £1 Is per annum to the funds of the lub, they will be dioqualified. J

Mr Woon, we see by the " Wanganui Herald," has just returned from another judicial tour up the Wanganui River, in the course of which he called upon the Mangamaieteos, and had an interview with Tamati Waka and his tribe, who have become very friendly to the colonists, and may now be said to have forsaken Kiugism. Mr Woon was also well received by the Okirjhau natives, and their chiefs, Wiremu Pakau and Raugituimatau, aud an earnest request was made that he should extend his circuit to their settlement and have Courts held at their kaingas. The "-Herald" says that wherever Mr Woon has met any assemblage of natives, there has been expressed an anxious desire to be on friendly terms with the Government. MrT. Bradley, on Saturday, Bth inst, while carting timber on the Wanganui-Patea line of road, noticing that one of the horses was not pulling, struck him a blow on the haunches with his whip, and the horse immediately let drive, kicking the unfortunate man in the stomach, which caused his death. Deceased leaves a wife and two children. The Old Wanganui Cavalry intend to take steps to obtain the award of fifty acres of land they consider themselves entitled to. Railway Surveys.—The " Wairarapa Mercury" says the various parties of surveyors are engaged taking the levels for the proposed line of railway, Mr Palmerson being engaged on the line between the Upper Hutt and Featherston, and Messrs Robinson and Anderson on the lines to Masterton. The party who are to complete Mr Jfocbfort's unfinished work through the Seventy-miJe Bush have been detained at Masterton, owing to the wet weather. Flax.—The " Wanganui Chronicle" says that a gentleman writes from a small town in the west of Scotland, that a manufacturer there is now erecting a lai'ge range of buildings expressly for workiug up New Zealand flax into all manners of fabrics to which the fibre can be turned. At the recent meeting of the Canterbury Flax Association some very fine samples were exhibited of single and double crochet, hand-netting, tatting, &c, from flax prepared according to M. Journeaux's process. Mr Buller.—The "Wanganui Herald" thus refers to Mr Puller's temporary retirement : —We regret that the public are to lose the services of Mr Buller even temporarily. He commands the entire confidence of the public, both for impartiality and a clear discriminating.judgment, and it will be difficult to replace him and inspire the same feeling in the public mind; although from what we know of the gentleman who is to take Mr Buller's place, we believe there is reason for supposing that the best possible choice has been made. There is one cause, however, for satisfaction at Mr Buller's leave of absence. He has been engaged for many years on a work for which be has qualified himself by the most painstaking industry, with talents specially adapted in the opinion of those best capable of judging ; for it is a fact well-known that Mr Buller's reputation as an ornithologist stands high in morothan one or two countries. We believe we are not over-confident in anticipating that the work which requires Mr Buller's presence in England, will place his name amongst those of the first rank of ornithologists. He will be associated with the early history New Zealand, as John James Audubon is with that of America, and some of the honor will be reflected on Wanganui. We are glad therefore that the Government have granted to Mr Buller the time which is indispensable to the completion of the literary part of his work, and we wish him the success he has merited, assuring him that his welcome back again to his Magisterial duties will be a sincere one by every class or rank in this community. A Half-and-Half Company.—Ballarat is proverbial for its enterprise, although some of its speculations, as, for instance, the sunken vessels recovery scheme, turned out such a failure. Undeterred, however, by past mishaps, the Ballaratians are still to the foie. The " Courier" states that a proposition is on foot to form a company at Ballarat for prosecuting diamond raining at the Cape of Good Hope, the company to consist of two classes of shareholders—one of sleeping partners ; and the other of working partners ; the outfit of the latter to be provided by the former. Supple.—For some time Gerald Henry Supple has been in a bad state of health, and several weeks ago was transferred to the gaol hospital. He has been under medical treat.ment nearly the whole time he has been in the gaol, but his illness is not owing in any way to the effects of the confinement. His health has improved latterly, and it is expected that in a few days he will be dischai'ged from the Hospital. —Melbourne Paper. An Extinguisher.—An apparatus for extinquishing the fire in the Anvil Creek coal mine was (says the " Maitland Mercury") to have been put in operation on Saturday last The scheme consists of drawing through the mine, by nieanß of stsam jets, a stream of carbonic acid gas that will be fatal to combustion and thereby extinguish the fire. When this is accomplished, the same apparatus will serve to expel the noxious gas, and supply its place with a current of pure air. Costliness of Strikes.—The costliness of the dual system of strikes and lock-outs is most convincingly shown by the last balancesheet of the South Yorkshire Miners' Association. The expenditure of the society for the two years ending in December last was £46,766, and of this amount no less than £40,000 was paid away to men on strike or locked out. The Thorncliffe men, who were locked out, received rather more than half the entire sum thus appropriated—namely £22,918. The Tinsley Park. Manor, and Hollingsend men also received £13,299 while,out on strike. The other amounts voted away were small in comparison to the foregoing. —" Manchester Examiner."

Land Transfer Act, 1870.—The "Lytton Times," of the 6th says:—The RegistrarGeneral of Land (Mr W. S. Moorhouse) intimates that he will be in attendance at the Land Transfer Office, Christchurch, this day, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon, for the purpose of issuing landbrokers' licenses." We understand that a great number of properties are waiting the licensing of land agents in Christchurch to be put by them under the act. One land agent there telegraphed to the Government several weeks ago that his office was flooded with applications, and he could get no other business attended to. Numerously signed petitions from Dunedin, Auckland, and other places have, we believe, been also forwarded, and land owners and estate agents from one end of the colony to the other have importunately demanded the issuing of these licenses. If Greville's Wellington agent had telegraphed, therefore, that great and general pressure had been brought to bear, he would have been only reporting a fact; but probably, not knowing how general and urgent was the demand for the change he only telegraphed what was known to him, viz, that such a thing was stated. His words are very clear, "In consequence, it is stated, of great and general pressure brought to bear on the Government, &c." What "political bias" lurks here, we are at a" loss to discover. He merely telegraphed the fact of Mr Moorhouse's visit, without giving any opinion of his own as to its necessity or propriety. We would recommend our evening contemporary in future to report the misdeeds of Greville's agent here to the Manager. Nelson Races.—A Wanganui contemporary reports: —We havp been informed that Mr John Walker of Aramoho, rode Slander, the winner of the Criterion Stakes and Free Handicap in yesterday's races at Nelson. • New Dock Works. —A correspondent furnishes the " Otago Daily Times" some additional information respecting the dock works at Oamaru. He says:—The Oamaru Dock works are fairly commenced at last. The first five large blocks of concrete have been moulded by the contractor, Mr Walkem, on the shingle bank near the lagoon. Each block contains 320 cubic feet, and weighs over 20 tons. The concrete is made by a mixture of one part of Portland cement, with five parts of shingle and one of sand, each by measure. Part of the shingle is whole, and part broken, and after it is mixed it is put into the wooden mould and well rammed. The mould is made of thick planks and braced with iron, and can readily be taken apart, as it is all fastened by screwbolts. As soon as the block is set sufficiently—that is, after a few days—the mould is taken off and is ready for another block.* A large quantity of cement is required, as each block takes about thirteen casks. Only 900 casks have as yet been imported for the Trust, and these are stowed in Oamaru, and will very soon be used up ; it is White and Son's best Portland, and proves to be of excellent quality. "Volunteering Enthusiasm.—The " Otago Times," April 5, says :—Six volunteer companies have been lately formed, but not yet gazetted. They are the Wakatip Bifles, with from 60 to 70 members ; the Lawrence Rifles, 46 members; the Blueskin Rifles, 45 members ; the Peninsula Rifles, 21 members; the Oamaru Grammar School Cadet Rifles, 32 members; and the Tokomairiro Grammar School Cadet Rifles, 32 members. We give the numbers of each company approximately. These companies are turning the interval in which the acceptance of their services by the Government is pending, to good account by busily drilling. The Port Chalmers Grammar School cadets, in number about 30, are in training, but application has not yet been made for their formation into a company. In the North-East Valley district, and in connection with the North Dunedin Rifles, a cadet company is in course of organisation, and now numbers nearly 40 members. As an accession to our volunteer force we have an entire company—the Fire Brigade—whose members were sworn in by Major Atkinson on I Monday night last. » New Wollen Manufactory.—ln reference to the wollen manufactory about to be established by Mr Arthur J. Burns, at Mosgiel, East Taieri, to which we have before called attention, we now learn from Otago papers that the plant was shipped on the Helenslee, which sailed from Glasgow on the 27th January, and may be expected here about the first of next month. It consists of a full set of carding engines, one pair of mules with 650 spindles, four blanket and two tweed looms, finishing, washing, and milling machinery,* and a pair of engines of thirty-two ! horse power, with Cornish boilers having \ Galloway's tubes. The machinery is of the i very best description, and contains the latest improvements. Coming out as passengers by the same vessel there are twenty-four work-men—twenty-one of whom are adults—and a gentleman to manage the establishment who has had extensive experiehce in some of the best manufactories in Lanarkshire and other parts of Great Britain. It is expected that the works will be in operation by the month of August next. The Telegraph to New Plymouth.— The last surveyor's peg of the telegraph line between Stoney River and New Plymouth was driven into the ground near the Post Office on Monday last. The line between Patea and Hawera, we understand, is completed, the poles having been erected and the wires stretched on them. The. telegraph staff are now engaged in fixing the poles between the latter place and Oeo. It will, therefore, not be long, at this rate, before we are connected by the telegraph with other parts of the colony. We are also glad to hear that the Pariaka natives have consented to ailow the telegraph to cross their land, so now there will be no difficulty in connecting the line right through. « Tarauaki papen