News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 18, 27 May 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

.; Sheep Retuens.—Flock minded that'the present"mon 4 fh??l film for? seeding-fin the 1 annual retfirhsftorJKA. several Inspectors ’of each - diatribe 1 fil sheep lire depasturing. * Cobb & Co.’s TELEOHAPnm'LiNE'qE Coaches will leave Wellington during ,-thft* winter months twice a and Saturdays—commencing on and after the,, sth June next, Laving'for Mondays and Thursdays.’ , Tendees. —The tenders for the erection. of,, a bridge at-the foot of the through' cut the Fbatherston side of the Rimutaku-jweTA; bpohed on Tuesday at t heoffice bf theFrof Secretary. - Tho following’ were-the sent iii:—Ross ahd 'Thbihpsbh, ‘£539 ; C.'Li. Fine, ! £483-; Samuel Brown; £4BO Wallace, £468; Fritz Jehseiff 1 Cave ; and Cavenhead, £325 ; -J-. Pethbrick, The latter tender was accepted; 1 ’ 1 "' ! ’ * J *’” *

j The Rev. WiLLiAir we has : been appointed to the Pastorate: ob tho; Presbyterian Church at Meanee, Hawke’s Bay, = by‘thetFree‘Chureli of Scotland»•* <c Me ■ BexJAMIN Smith .has,** we* understand,; ' been appointed hProvisional Trustee -’irf: Bank- * •ruptcy in room of MrEainie. Haemonical. —-We understand tliat effartsare being mado by our Hutt friends-totresus**.' citato - the Harmonic Society, and 111 at,, an • opening concert is to be giyen ? ,-,^t >r ,,tlie.i i Mechanics’ Institute,^ : LpW% Hutt, this evening. ... Me' Jas. OsdooDj formerly the- well-known; host of'the “ Empire,” was a passengeffficfo; by the s.s. Rangitoto on Tuesday, and we need ; hardly say Was greeted with a hearty welcom'e by a number of friends. -From the popularity enjoyed by Mr Osgood as host during his for: met residence ’here, and-the -estiihatlon■ iii which he was held by the general public, we should like to hear that he is again going ta.l take -up his residence amongst us.-: Small Faem Association.— On Tuesday a deputation from this body, consisting of Messrs Hedges, W. S. Milne (M.P C.), S. Eagan (M.P.C.), Sanson, and Philips, waited upon his r Honow the Superintendent, with, a view . ton having , the Rangitikei-Manawabu... Small Farm Block proclaimed,, and also urging, their claim for an educational reserve and-the:.: making a road (through the block. The deputation express themselves well pleased with the courteous reception they met with from his Honor, and the spirit In which,.thgir representations were received. Of course, no positive promise could be given without the sanction of the Council; but there is no reason to doubt that all reasonable claims, of the Association will be received and dealt with by the Council in a liberal spirit." " . Past Gkand’s Society, The members of this society celebrated then?' sixth anniversary"by a dinner on ' Wednesday' evening last in their Lodge robin; Odd FeU lows’ Halfi P.G. Robert Smith-’ in the chair. The dinner was provided by P.P.G.M. Bell, and gave great satisfaction. - The.usual ; loyal, patriotic, and fraternal toasts were given,,and, heartily responded to. Several songs : were, sung by the company, whioh contributed greatly to the pleasures .of the evening, and the party separated- at, halLpast. ten after enjoying themselves , tp,- thejr- heart’s content. .......

.Revising- . Couet.— The Revising Officer,. J. Gc. Allan, Esq,'held liis court on Satur'dSyV in the Supreme'Court Chambers/ - ’ The -'W cllington roll was finished and tho Hutt roll taken in hand. Only three'persons appeared to sustain • their 1 claims—Mr Taridyl- ‘Mr M'Mannaway, and Mr ; Revans—which tvbre allowed after soine -little' rectification:' ; - The Court will meet this morning at ton o’clock'; and'is is expected that the town sittings will be completed to-day. On the 26tb, Mr Allan will hold riis bourt at Wriirarapa, afterwards proceeding to Manawatu, Rangitikei, and Wanganui.,. .7;77. „77v-' "* ’ Gazette.— By a General ■Government Gazette published on. Saturday the 'following pointments dre notified'Edward .Fawcojier Tizard, Esq , to be a Warden'df all'Wardens Courts in. the. County'of Westland; Berijamiq Smith, 'Esq.,' : to‘ J: b‘C' thri Official'agenUfdr the mining district of the province of Wellington under fiiC'lVliiririg'Cdiripanfeb Arrietldmesfit'-Acl; of 1869; Joseph Crocome, Esq., to be Deputy Registrar of Births, &c., at ( WaikouaitifiThb& StamStrees Hffi’vey, Esq.,to be Registrar.,of Births, &c., at Arrow ;' : BerijaminSmlfh,-Esq., to “he ' Provisional Trustee in' Bankruptcy ; Charles If. Lloyd, Esq.; of Coromandel; to survey lands’ ririder the Native ' Lands .‘-ACt, 1865 v' Heteraka Nero, of Raglan. and HakopS te Kotukn, of. Raglan, to be Assessors The^'Ouiiying' ; -B>i i of Spirit * Act, 1870 ; and W. R. Nesbit, Esq.fitb be-aLicen-smg officer under The Arms Act, 1860, H .-j CfTY Lam^s.j-The cqrgQ^ticfri,lamps Twe.te lit with gas for tile first' tim% : .nigbt.- The burners throw out .a fipe,broad glare, which is a great aid to., afteß^dafk'peregrinations. Not at all,a bad'exemplification"of throwing a light ou tlie subject was witnessed in one bf bttr’pnhcipdf tlior ! d'u|hfai i es : . : ''' i Thrf e young Maori boys, imbued with a laudable desire for vesCarcli, ga/zed contemplatively for a long °Utbfi jamgs, evidently perplexed as to “ how it got there,” just as George the Third was,about the applea inside the dumplings.;.; As. a dernier,respirt, ope suggested that they should .climb, the g_Qsi;,and ■ have the thing .demonstrated thqre -and.up they went, accordingly..,,,,At this teresting stage of tho, proceedings, tjie .beneficial uses.of the ; gas served,a,•yei’y practical ■purpose, by . the ; yonng.. darkies .be.ing able ,to descry a sergeant of ..police , at a. dLtapoo:df 'about: twenty yards...Of,.qaprs^. they., •rdown before one could.say «,knj.£e, k,and,got .away in ’time; to save the.; .sergeant .the, trqnplp *q£ 7trying n,wliai ; virtue. & » belting. m?-&&£

* last?the rbiriains of ofi'e of the unfortunate men who were drowned onffhe ? ? rtf4th;inat ; by rthe upsetting of a boat belonging to iJf .^JV£S ? Virago. was yya/fliqd, up, on,.,tbe. beach' near the Baths- The evidence of thp young man Reeves, who had been a shipmate with £; ''Taylor only Ihvo months * before, was so clear r" as v torthe"-ragt of clothing still clinging' to-‘the iskeleton,-, which ,was almost > fleshlpss, that.the jpyy took a common.sense, view of flip matter and accepted the testimony as conclusive, that 8 ’ the' remains ' were' ‘those of Taylor; arid on" v - Monday 'afternoon v an' inquest waa si held i -at: the -.Nag’s'Head on the body of James •,, .Sjmith,: shipmate, ..of,Wra, Taylor, who,, was drowned at the same time by the upsetting of, the Virago'boat in the harbor on the 4th in at, a similar vei’diet was returned to that in the i ' fornver Cases'“ The remains of Smith were in a other body. There was nothing ,but the trunk ~ and that was literally reduced to a bundle of hones.' - Thehldfhes, however, were sufficient, to identify the body. The'following parti Chlar s'. respecting • : the ‘ two men, which' ;We obtqined-fr*om-the,police, may possess some interest for,their friends. William Tay Ipr was a warrant officer’s 'servant.; born, on the 2nd *' r January, 1850, at; Eeeleshall ; oft. 9in in height, t,! ’ brt»Wft' h'!tir< and I 'o'yCsv ; with‘ a slight scar on the left side of his forehead; fair compexion. ... .James Smitb,..ra]ted'bpy I.p. ; born .10th May, 1853, at Leigh ford, Stafford ; ,sft 2-|in in heightlight brown hair and hazel‘eyes ; ’ ifjar-oh'fof ehfead ; ‘ dark Complexion.'' Military' ' Sunday' the re.-, ' mains of William''Tay lor, I the steward of the Virago, , ,who -was drowned the day before n .the,, Virago f left,,,, were... interred in the English cemetery . A very numerous, con - course of people accompanied the funeral cortege. About fifty members of each of the • ' Volunteer'companies-were in attendance, the '• t ,-Veterans;supplying a firing party, .of,twelve, B ( ojth,..,theGarrison and the Artillery Bands ‘were in attendance, the former playing a beautiful march of'Beethoven’s, arranged by -Euchner, and-also one, of -the marches played in ‘‘SamSop/’-the, Artillery Bawd adding the . “ Sicilian Mariner’s Hymn ” and the “ Adesde Swells.”" The coffin, which was borne on a, gun-carriage belonging to the battery, was r'covered'with the Union Jack.- - As a mark of respect, the ships in harbor hoisted their, flags half-mast high, p The, .remains of the boy . Smith, the ill-fated companion of,, Taylor,, werebiiriecl on Tuesday afternoon with military *: hbnors. The Veterans, No; 1 Company R.V., and the Q-arrison and Artillery Bands formed ... s the : runeral, cortege, which was commanded by Colonel Reader. The coffin wrapped in the Union Jack, was drawn on a guncarriage,. The Veterans furnished the firing party, who performed the customary rite over the grave. '''RisliE Match.—The Veteran' Corps fired for their prizes at-the'Adelaide Butts-on ~,p .Saturday.., The weather was rather .unfavorThe ranges were 300, 400, and 500 yards ;' kneeling position at 300; any posh • ' tioh the remainder. The first 1 prize, a pistolsi; .of peculiar mechanism ; the second; a small silver cup; the third and fourth, .money, from the entrance fees, with sums added. The following are the names of the winhersVwith tlieir scoresisfc prize, Private 4 f-Jr 'WMte, 44 points ; 2nd, Private J. Bowater, 39 ; 3rd, Private J. Holmes, 35; ; „.4fcb, Ensign Bowater; 34..; . The Entertainment given on Tuesday night ,„-at St Peter’s schoolroom was,, we were pleased' to see, equally as great a success as that given the evening before at St. Paul’s school, and as •. far as'the attendance went, could not have ; r-been greater*, as many had to go away unable to squeeze themselves inside the schoolroom. Every available inch of room was occupied, many standing throughout the performance. Sonic' exquisite" pieces of vocal music were rendered in such a manner as to elicit'the most hearty applauso. : We noticed that many of. those who assisted at the entertainment at St. Paul’s schoolroom were kind enough to renders'similar good service last night; Mr . ' Elliof read a strangely interesting piece—“ A ~ terrific combat between.a lion and a gorilla” —which, after first thrilling the audience, raising their attention'to' the highest point of *'’■* excitement, ‘ suddenly convulsed them with • •laughter; • Archdeacon Stock said lie was glad to inform the assemblage that the sum of £52 had been the nett proceeds of last year’s series of entertainments, good humoredly reminding them at the'same time that the promoters '■■‘'had rftade lip' their-minds to get at least ! (another £SO out of- them this series. As the i - congregation, were raising a private contribution among themselves towards, the purchase , of the organ,.he hoped to Be able to inform ‘ them 'hCxb''year that the organ had been • ordered, and was on its way out here. • 'Civic ■ MATTERS.— At ' the meeting of the »v .City;;Gpuncil on (Friday afternoon, the by-laws, which had been sent to his. Honor the. Superintendent for his sanction, were finally passed, his Honor haying given his assent. As a ' matter'of : forht they were put to the vote, the inexorable- Carpenter; “ faithful found,” being . the .only dissentient. Councillor-Moss brought forward . his motion for the ..purchase of the wharf from the Provincial Government. The magnitude of such a proposal'was again appalling to the old Conservative, but looked at Vfra’s a matter .of business-like, capacity for dealfc . ing r with,.,large .and .progressive measures, it . v ;. reflects great credit on our City Council. s There can be little doubt that if the proposal assumes 'a tangible for ni' it will : be the means •’ : of adding’greatly to the revenue of the Corporation,» and.- consequently, be a great benefit -,,-to ? tli<} citizens of; Wellington.;. Ifiero is not-, v . likely^to. be much diMicuity in obtaining the , , moifey on ‘the 'security of the rates, while there certain prospect of increased* lACaftS for “ tbefurbheraneeof munieipal improvements. In - ...j,the :nyeautime >( x>nly .action has been take.p. aqd the public^.will,...p,wajt with, •ome interest the result of the overtures made to the Provincial Government*

~ St. Paul’s ScHooLKOOxt.—lf tlie ehtertainment given on Monday evening at the school* room, Sydney-sfreet, in aid of the funds of the school, is an earnest of the character the whole series is to assume,, we can congratulate the originators of these entertainments on their success in obtaining the assistance of ladies' and gentlemen so well able to delight and instruct, tlieir hearers. The s’chooi-room was well filled, and each selection was well received, in one instance an encore being called for, which we regretted to see. The entertainment consisted of readings and vocal music. Amongst the singers we were pleased f° notice the sweet voice of Mrs Parsons, which, we need hardly say, has lost none of its magical tones. The vocal music consisted of duets, quartettes, and solos. The Rev Mr Paterson read, with great feeling and effect, Tennyson’s “Dora;” Mr Eliott Eliott read “ The Roving Vagabond,;” and Mr Maginnily read a humorous passage froth the.“Caudle pictures,” A pleasing feature of the enter-' iainment was the ladies’ voices, several of whom gave solos with considerable effect. “ God save the Queen,” by all the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the entertainment, brought the evening io a close. Mutual Investment Society. —We have been favored with a glance at the seventh annual report of the above society, though we believe'it is not yet issued. From it wo gather that the committee regard the pastoral, agricultural, and ’mercantile interests of .the province as not in a better condition than they were last year. In the realisation of shares, the committee have had. to resort almost entirely to advances by way of mortgage. £2l 000 is invested in Treasury Bills, no more profitable investment offering. The accumulated profit in Class I. is stated to amount to £l3 per share, and that in Class 11. to £1 17s 2cl per share. The attention of the committee has be*en directed to the reduction in the rate of interest in the colony generally. With the view of bringing all mortgaged property under the Land Transfer Act, it ; s intended to recommend that the manager take out a license as a broker, and bring allprbperties of a less value than £2OO under the act, without any brokerage charge. On properties of a greater value the ordinary commission will be payable to the society. All fees will Be paid by the society, and allowed to remain a debt on the property at 10 per cent interest. - Three members of the committee, Messrs Allen, Woodward, and Yates, retire by rotation, and Messrs Allen and Woodward being eligible, are proposed for re-election. Mr Yates having left this part of the province does not intend to seek re-election, and Messrs J. E. Nathan and G. H. Vennell are candidates for a seat on the committee. ■Revising- Couet. —-This court was closed on Tuesday, the Wellington list having been concluded. About 300 names have been removed from the roll entirely, about 280 having been placed in corrected form by the revising officer, Mr Allan, with the assistance of Mr Smith and Mr Jackson. A great deal of credit is due to both of these gentlemen for undertaking such an invidious duty, and carrying it to such a completely successful and satisfactory result. In one or.two cases the persons objected to were dissatisfied with the objections urged, and seemed to imagine themselves the objects selected for.carrying out the machinations of a “ Vehm Gerichte,” but we suppose both Mr Jackson and Mr Smith had calculated on stumbling across a brier or two in their rosy path. The number of claims purged from the roll during this revision shows on what an unsatisfactory foundation the very basis of our franchise rested, and in what a careless and inefficient way the act has been carried out; perhaps it would be more correct to say that the . act has never before been enforced at all, as such a loose state of affairs could never have existed under its stringent provisions. There are penalties for persons preferring fraudulent claims, and for other offences, and there are also penalties to which the revising officer is liable for perfunctory or non-performance of duty, but now that the duties have been entrusted to a gentleman possessing a high legal standing and a thorough knowledge of the law in this matter, there is little need for apprehension that a similar state of things will exist in the future.

A Meeting of shareholders of the Wellington Export Meat Company was held at the Highland Home Inn, Upper Hutt, on Friday, May, 19th, Mr Lndlam in. the chair. It was proposed by Mr Braithwaite, and seconded by Mr Cruickshank, That a company be constituted for preserving meat for exportation, and that the first establishment be formed in the Hutt district. It was carried by a large majority, with the. addition of Mr Walden’s amendment, which was seconded by Mr Buiek—That the words “ at Mr Barton’s saw mills at the Upper,” be inserted in the original resolution before the words “ Hutt district.” An amendment was moved by Mr.Gf. Beetbam, and seconded by Mr R. Collins, That the site of the proposed establishment shall be fixed at the Boiling-down works'at Feathefston, Wairarapa, which was lost, the proposer and.seconder only voting for it. Another amendment-was moved by Mr C. Pharazyn, and seconded by Mr W. EL Levin, That the question of the site of the proposed works be referred to" a committee to be appointed by this meeting of shareholders, with instructions to-confer witli a committee already appointed in the Wairarapa, and to report to a further meeting. This motion was also lost on division. This closed the proceedings. " ! - ; • -A Wharf Accident.— lt' would appear that the brilliancy, of the gas-lit wharf is not sufficient .to prevent, accidents, at.-least with those ; who first take the liberty of putting themselves in that unenviable state commonly 'known as “seeing double.”' On Sunday night at •half-past eleven a seaman of the Taranaki who, as liis nautical friends would say, got .ffialfseas over,” thinking lie was?.stepping on board tfie Taranaki, stepped into the water instead, falling between the wharf and the steamor. A

watchmaiif of the Phoobe, named Ryan, hearing the splash, gbfc down to the lower 'stringers caught hold of the struggling man, and 'shouted for assistance. Some passers-by answered to the call arid the poor fellow was soon hauled’ up on the wharf, apparently in'a - very bad' state. A glass of brandy hot, however, had a wonderfully rapid effect in restoring him. An Awkward Fix.-— During the -past week, whilst crossing the ford in the Hutt river, below Valentine's Aglionby Arms/Mr M'Laggan, with his trap,' bringing vegetables into town, got stuck midway; - His' predica*ment having been observed, a 'horse was sentto his relief, arid being'yoked oh to MLaggan’s horse, fairly pulled him out of his harness; leaving the owner in his cart in the Centre of the river. He was soon, however, relieved from his perilous position; 4 and landed"'on terra firma, when he proceeded on his journey to Wellington. Having sold his vegetables he returned to the Hutt, pissing through the toll-bar at about half-past'eleven at night, • reaching the Hutt river at his usual time-*-about one or two o’clock in the morning. He again attempted the ford, and again stuck in the centre of the stream hard arid fast, and there lie had to remain for upwards of four hours, until rescued by the boatmen at about seven o’clock in tile morning. He was sitting up to his thighs in water for the whole time,"and was ahriosfc perished with ‘ exhaustion whentaken from the cart, ‘ This mishap riiay ekeite a smile of levity from the urithinkirig, who’ may see in it a good joke since it proved no worse; but more serious reflection will show the urgent necessity of pushing on tile construction of the bridge. ' Had there been’the slightest fresh during the four hours Mr M'Laggan was chilled to the marrow in his watery prison we might have been at this moment speculating as to his fate; and the - Hutt river would have added another victim to the already too long list of persons drowned in New Zealand rivers. 5 ; " ; " u> ’ ; ■ ■ The Hutt Bridge.— We understand - that Mr Blackett, the Colonial Erigineer-iri-Ohief; ■ will make a careful survey, and advise the Provincial Government, as to tho best site for a new bridge.' We deem it pnid&nt riot to mention the day, as Mr Blackett prefers.to make such surveys unaccompanied by' any officials, arid uninterrupted by the curious or the interested. Wherever lie saysdT railway line, or bridge should be, then it is fixed. The settlers in the Hutt may,’therefore, rest assured that site will be determined on by ,an engineer whom the Premier himself has no power to influence. To irisiriuate that railways and bridges are being constructed with a'view to any one’s interest is a deliberate insult’to - Mr Blackett, and is calculated to lead to triiieh mischief-making. The great works’on Which the colony is now entering will be conducted on the principle of the greatest good for the* greatest number, and we can assure our Hutt settlers that the Provincial Goverbinent intend following the same—in fact the only honorable policy.' We trust,' therefore, that whatever site is chosen will be at once accepted as the best. We may add that, as in all the other provinces, the valuable services and experience of Mr Blackett will be at the’ disposal of the Provincial Government/ As would be gleaned from our summary, Mr Blackett lias just returned from a survey of sites for four large river bridge's in’.Canter*. : bury, one of them— the' Waitaki—across a river nearly 4000 feet wide at flood tide. Wellington .Jockey Clue. —The Wellington Jockey Club met on Thursday flight at the Empire Hotel, The following officers were appointed for the vear 1871-2, viz., Mr G. Crawford, Treasurer, and Mr Bromley, Secretary. It was agreed that races should be held ou the Hutt race course; and the Secretary was instructed to nut himself in communication with the Secretaries of the Jockey Clubs at Nelson, Napier, arid Christchurch, for the purpose of ascertaining the best tiirie to hold them. The old rate of subscriptions r was decided to be retained, and gentlemen desirous of becoming members of the Club are to give in their names to the Secretary on or before the Ist proximo. After disposing of a good deal of preliminary business, it was decided that the meeting be adjourned to the first day of June, when it is hoped all the old members will rally together, and many flew members will be proposed and balloted for. We understand that it is in contemplation to get Up a most valuable cup and other good prizes that the races of Wellington may become an attraction to all parts of the colony. It is believed that when it is known such is the* intention of the Jockey Club here, that many gentlemen from distant parts of the colony will be competitors, some of them having already expressed their intention to that effect. We can see no reasori why the next races at Wellington should not exceed any recent races in the colony, Wellington formerly being facile princeps iri this respect. A great muster is expected ori the evening of the Ist of June, when the rules will be altered and revised, and adapted to the "latest Newmarket regulations. ■' Pahautanut. —On the Queen’s Birthday a match was fired at this" place' between' tenrepresentatives of the Porirua arid a similar number of the' Pahautanui Volunteers. The firing was pretty equal on both sides at the first two ranges, but in the long range the Porirua tearii took the lead', and won by six points, Porirua scoring 314 points and Pahautanui 308. The return match will be fired at the Tawa Flat range on Saturday Week. The following are the scores Porirua :S. Greer, 47 ; R. Woodman, 41G. Gordon, 36; : Jv Jones, 35; J. Mexted, 31; Lieutenant Greer, 27; Sergeant Tethriek, 26; Ensign Pask,,2s ; - R. Spicer, 25 ; T. ' Morgan/ 21. Pihaufanui j - Jesse 'Barrow, 40 • B.' Tories, junior, 36 ; ’G; Carter, 33 ; Jairies Barrow, '32; Geo.'Jbnes; 31; D. Brown, 29 / John Jones, '29; J. Gardiner, 29 Sergeant Tpriesj 26 ; W. Jones',' senior, 23.. ’JTherangesfiredat were 400,''500/ and - ’6oo'yards. r The : WeSthW 'yftii scarcelyfavorable for good shooting.

•' Acclimatisation;— l A difficulty has arisen between tlie' Auckland ‘'AbclitoMisritiori Society ■and'" the/farriiers/'iri'referericd *'fb tiff importation of’certain’birds which aVb alleged to be destructive to -the crops; 'ThMphCasantsjWre the -principal offenders/ And- According to statements 'mad'e ■ by - correspondents' of the Auckland papers, 'Commit' ravaged a'/florig r tbe crops so" That' - the fai’mers * are clamoring to have them removed from’the''list of protected birds, arid'’ left 1 "exposed to destruction. They "are so' numerous, however, and bo well established in all parts of the province; that -they' will be able to hold their own. - Sparrows, 4 r tooV'are ‘ viewed with' great suspicion; on; account' of their 'antecedents, although : they have not/ becohie riumeirous enough to do much iniscldef iriNew' Zoalahd ; but they are rapidly'increasing,''and people are anxiously awaiting informatiofi which inay enable them"to jiidgo whether tlio benefits which they Confer -May ‘hot' he more than counterbalanced by ' the destruction they cause. - A’'M'elbburrie papffr 'mentions'five acres of vines which have beCir sucked dry by Sparrows, the birds hiving 5 waited'tin till the fruit - was ripe to commence their depredations. The paper'from' Which - We' quote' 4 says Wo may shoot "and shoot, and there the sparrows are—the next worst tiling' to a perpetual plague - of locusts. The horticulturist' 'hears them coming down like a shower of rain, with twitter twitter.' 1 Perhaps' be can shoot'one. The gentleman, Mr Jtiekson, to who'tn we have alluded, has beeft"driven, by the spflrrow nuisance/ to' the determfnatio'if of rooting up his five acres of matured vines' arid cornmencing afresh witha plantation of something else. .Moa Skeletons.- —The hitherto unrivalled skeletons Of the' Canterbury museum'’’‘have been * thrown irito the' shade' by recent discoveries. ‘ The “Lyttelton Times” says''that the moa skeletons brought from Gleufliark station by Mr Puller, Of 'the' Museum; have been articulated, and will be placed iri the Museum in the course of a few'days;' The tallest of the skeletons stands about 11 feet 6 inches high, which is considerably' morO than any of the other specimens of the'-same bird in 1 the Museum.

The Value of Totara for BuilPin& Jetties. —Spe'cimens'of totara, blue gum; arid red pine (says the “ Otago Daily Times), from wood which has been under water during the last eight years, and removed iri order toftllow of the extension to the Rattray-street Jetty being made, are to be'forwarded to the' Governrflent offices, arid possibly ' to' the Museuiri 1 . Of these woods the totara lias Stood the test far better than either of the other two, and it loots in the centre of : the specimen as ’fresh'as; wood' does When about to' be driven down for piles, and bears hardly a sign of WCar on the/bitter edge; Th§ other specinieris/bn tlie contrary, have throughout a sodden appearance, arid are far more decayed in the part exposed to the Water; -'" A ’ jh?

Stewart’s 1 Island 'Fishery.— The aMndarice'arid variety offish at Stewart’s Island, says 'the “‘Southland News/’ has beeri often spoken of iri glo Wing terms, but' for so trie reason or other the fishery has never yet acquired the position’ its proximity to markets 7 ' capable of absorbing a practically unlimited quantify of properly cured fisli,, would appear calculated to give it. ' One math reason, no doubt/ has been the lack of sufficient'capital on the part of adventurers; who have had to succumb to financial difficulties before their undertakings were fairly afloat. ' We are pleased, therefore, to note that a fresh; attempt to establish a regular fishery has been initiated by Mr Traill at Paterson’s Inlet. This gentleman intends to coiribine fishing arid fish-curing with ‘storekeeping*—a business for which it is said there is a good opening at the locality he has chosen, it beirig a recognised place of call for ships. A Scene in the French Assembly.— We take The following - from the “Pali Mall Gazette M : Jules Gharetie writes from Bordeaux to the “Siecle;” thatnoorie whokriows it solely through the mediu'm of the “Mohiteur Offic'iel” arid the coldness of a’shorthand report; cart form any idea of the dramatic scene provoked by M. Coriti in the National Assembly. The whole Assembly springing tb its feet by ari irresistible movement of revolted conscience; seven hundred representatives vociferating, waving their hats, feverish; indignant, resolute, arid crying Dechearice !”■ At the tribune, calm and livid, his eye-glass on his nose, thin, with a threatening yet comical aspect, M. Conti braving’the just anger of 5 the Assembly,' and remaining frozen and motionless before the storm ; cries,' invectives; Meeting above the head of the confidential" secrctary to reach the' master : “ Outlaw of the 2nd ofDecenibeV ; hb more of the coward'! no more of' the traitor! Tlie fury in'erea'sing, the Vociferations : becoming ferocious; ’’fists clenched, eyes blood-shot. Down with*' the Bonapartes !” ' Then suddenly in this tuihult, in this crowd, arid this tempest, a forehriad—rising as 'though by chance on the tribune, close to the tirin'face of M Conti, a faefe appearing; i v ed, sariguirie, the' beard” and.hair white, tlie face of Victor Hugo, author of “Napoleon le Petit'/ - ’' by the' side' of' the secretary’of the Mhri of Sedan'arid ofthe'2nd of December; and, as if the same cry 1 burst frOiri every breast, might be heard on evtry lip the words, “ Chastisement! behold 4 the chastDment!” 1

- Heroism op Disraeli’s Wife."' -m* Mr Frizwell in his book" entitled “ Modern Men of 'Letter a "Honestly Criticised” gives tbefoll owing anecdote of Lady' BeacousfleldDHving down to'the ’House -td hear a" great speech from herhusbarid on an important o&ck’sion, he, full of his'subject, arid’ preoccupied" tis he jump’ed fronf the broiigbarh,’ 6hut’’bfi<s' of her fingers in the’dbor.' ‘ Agdriising a§*was the pahT'She" 'utte'bed. Aidf -cfy *’ tilff he was but of sight' khd then called her footman to opbh.The'dbdrF* My deSr/’she is’reported 'to “have saidU td one whom she tbld thb'%tory, T 'wdhld riot' 'have' crled'idut f6r~the : Wdrid; in tffiihMrig of my*^pairi 1 so agitated that he would have forgotten all tbs

chief points in his speech.’ Such a wife was worthy to have the coronet of a viscountess laid at her feet by her husband.” New Zealand Bred Stock.—The Otago Daily Times” is pleased to be able to record the fact that the exportation of New Zealand bred stock to other countries is about to be commenced. Mr James Cameron, who has just arrived in Dunedin from the southern districts, has brought with him five Leicester ewes and three rams, bred by Mr Allan Cameron, manager of the Clydevale station, the property of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company. He has also purchased from Mr Steel, Wairuna, three ewes bred from the same stock. All these Bheep were originally bred from Lord Polworth’s celebrated stock. Mr Cameron will take them by the outgoing mail steamer to San Francisco, and thence to Walla Walla, Washington territory, on the Columbia river. They were ordered by William Watson, who was formerly manager of the Clydevale station, and whose father, the late Mr Watson, of Keillor, Forfarshire, was one of the most famous sheep breeders in Great Britain. _ . ~ German Opinion.—The “ Yolks Zeitung, a democratic journal of Berlin, contains the following France is at this moment in a singular position. It has no army having a discipline necessary to continue the war. But this peace will supply that which was wanting in war. After a short period of peace, France can put into the field half a million of men, comprising the garrison (now prisoners) of Paris, and the prisoners in Germany. We can form an idea of what would be such material of war, if we reflect on the rapidity with which the French nation united in a few weeks colossal forces. Perhaps they may be consoled in thinking that France will recover in the prisoners the military professors for the war to come. In the presence of such a danger Germany will see the absolute necessity to make preparations for war. Such a peace can be no more than a prolonged armistice bet ween France and Germany ; but it will be also for all the Powers of Europe a reason to exhaust themselves in military preparations in view of dangers to come.” A Mixed Population—Tbe following is a classification of the “peoples” who inhabited the city of Vienna at a recent period : —57,167 Moravians, 37,514 Hungarians, 1068 Silesians, 9752 Upper Austrians, 8374 Galicians, 5405 Styrians, 2075 Tyrolese, 1454 Carnionians,l22l Corinthians,B93 Transylvanians, 408 Bukovinians, 212 Dalmatians, 5678 Prussians, 6270 Bavarians, 1736 Saxons, 1188 Wurtembergers, 574 Badeners, 432 Hessians, 96 Belgians, 78 Danes, 859 French, 105 Greeks, 434 English, 1278 Italians, 52 Dutch, 7 Portuguese, 511 Russians, 66 Swedes, 990 Swiss, 24 Spaniards, 907 Turks, 585 Rouma nians, 279 Servians, 21 Africans, 6 Brazilians, 197 Americans (United States), and 39 Asiatics.

“Arrangement.”—A Melbourne contemporary has the following amusing bit“ There is a new euphuism for imprisonment. A criminal, who before he was sentenced the other day for larceny was scrupulously anxious to convince the Chief Justice that he had been twice and not thrice before convicted, considered that one conviction should not count for anything; it was, he said only ‘ a short arrangement of a month.’ A mere snack in anticipation, His Honor’s ‘ arrangements’ upon the last sentencing day were of the most liberal character. Amongst thirteen prisoners he distributed with great impartiality ninety-one years incarceration. Some of these prisoners of the State did not seem to appreciate the future ‘ arrangements’ made for their maintenance and occupation.”

Californian Quail. Thirty brace of Californian quail have been liberated in tbe Wakatip district by the Otago Acclimatisation Society. Sudden Death at Wanganui. The “ Herald” of the 19th says:—Another case of almost sudden death occurred yesterday. Miss Northover, daughter of Mr J. Northover, of this town, was taken ill on Wedneed iy evening and died at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The deceased was in the service of Mrs Rankin, and it is supposed that the excitement caused by the death of Mr Rankin, brought on the attack which ended so fatally. What makes the case if possible more painful is, that the deceased was to have been married on the first of next month. The Wanganui Bridge.—lt has _ been stated in some quarters that it was the intention of the Government to let the pontage of the Bridge by tender, giving it to the party who made the highest offer with adequate security. We understand that this is not the case. The Government very properly wish to know what the revenue is likely to be before leasing it to any one, and consequently they will appoint a toll-collector. Mr George Ross, who has had the misfortune to lose his leg through an accident that many of our readers will remember, is likely to have the appointment. —“ Chronicle,” May 18. Fruit Emporium.—A United States, New Zealand, and Australian fruit depot has been opened by Mr Messenger in Lower Queen street, Auckland, opposite the Bank of New Zealand.

Me John Rankin. —In an obituary notice the “ Wanganui Chronicle” of the 15th says : usual, and shortly after, complaining of weariness, he said he would go to his bedroom and rest for a while. An hour or more elapsed when one of the children, who had occasion to go upstairs, told Mrs Rankin that her father was ill. He had been seized with apoplexy. Medical aid was at once called in, but one fit succeeded another until in a very few hours death ensued, and the man who, but the day before, was an active citizen, was gone for ever. The demands of business, we understand, had lately been giving deceased a good deal of anxiety, and his medical attendant attributes to this mental worry, to a certain extent, the fatal.nature of the attack. Mr Rankin was

much respected by all classes. He leaves a widow and five young children, who naturally have the sympathy of the whole community. Kaipara Railway.—An exchange says : “ The disallowance of the Kaipara Railway Act has caused much disappointment. Everything was ready for a commencement when a hitch occurred about the terminus nearest Auckland. Successive provincial engineers have reported in favor of a site called Harbin s Point, and their decision is very generally approved. Mr Gillies, I believe, wishes the terminus to be fixed elsewhere —for good and sufficient reasons perhaps. Unfortunately for Mr Gillies' reputation, it has transpired that the site he is supposed to prefer for a terminus would carry the Kaipara Railway through the property of his intimate friend and political supporter, besides making the line several miles longer, and more costly. This is the version generally received and believed in here. It is very possible that his honor’s motives are misconstrued. Meantime it is said Mr o‘Neil, the provincial engineer who lastreported in favor of Harbin’s Point, has been dismissed, and that a new report by a Mr Webb has been ordered. Maori Ceremony.—The Maoris (Bay of Islands) have been to Hokianga, to scrape the bones of Tamati Waka’s brother. It is said three hundred gallons of grog were consumed on this interesting occasion. An Interchange.—A San Francisco correspondent writes to a friend in Dunedin ‘I think the salmon could be introduced into Otago for a small amount, they being very plentiful up the Sacramento river here, only some 30 days from your port. I also think something could be done by the introduction of the oyster from New Zealand and Australia into this State. Efforts are being made to grow them in beds on the shores of the Bay of San Francisco. A Contradiction. —The “ New Zealand Wesleyan,” of Christchurch, a journal conducted by the Rev. A. R. Fitchett, contains an authoratative denial of the report recently circulated that that gentleman was about to be ordained a minister of the Church of England. In reply to a request, signed by the Superintendent of the Episcopal school at Wanganui, asking him if the report was trueto offer himself to the Bishop of Wellington as their pastor, Mr Fitchett says : —“ Thanks. Statement entirely without foundation. Could not be tempted by anything lower than a bishopric. (Signed) A. R. Fitchett. To Mr R. Davis.” Mr Fitchett adds : “ The editor thinks it unnecessary to add anything to the above, except that he is grateful for the esteem in which he appears to be held in his old circuit, and that he regrets that his friends in the Episcopalian Church there should have been so egregiously misled. Crime—lts Cost in New Zealand.—The following remarks were made by the “ Nelson Colonist” in commenting on a charge recently made by Judge Gresson to a Grand Jury : “ Eighty thousand pounds is stated by Judge Gresson to be the sum which the punishment and repression of crime costs the Colony of New Zealand in the year 1869. £BO,OOO! —in a country endowed with a good climate, offering a life of comparative plenty and comfort, when the state of tbe mass of the people in the old country is considered : £BO,OOO to pay in one year for tbe repression of crime! The subject is too serious for mere talk; let our readers ruminate on the fact and its causes. Something like £7OOO a year is paid by Nelson province for educational purposes, and with that sum between two and three thousand children receive something like plain education, which all lovers of advancement are striving to improve for the sake of future men and women of the colony ; £7OOO is only the eleventh part of £BO,OOO. Think of it.” His Honor Mr Justice Richmond, in his charge to the Grand Jury at Nelson made the following observations: — I can remember when the Dunedin escort van used to dash into town weekly with its 20,000 or 30,000 ounces of gold ; and handcuffed just above the iron boxes were some three or four unfortunates, who were the week’s contribution from Tuapeka to the quarter’s calendar. All around were the troopers —the militarised constabulary—with drawn sabres. At that time we used to have as many as forty cases for trial. I am not going to utter any half truths about the connection of gold with crime, or to contend that wealth to a people wise enough and virtuous enough to use it is other than a benefit conferred by the Author of all good ; yet a criminal Court of Justice is no unfit place wherein to recall the profound truth that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he po9sesseth and that in tbe eyes of the philosopher and the Christian, the whole prosperity of a people is something wholly different from what is implied in the addition of a cypher or two to the return of the exports.” The Weight op Erudition.—Recently Cobb’s coach, having on board Mr Rolleston, the Superintendent of Canterbury, bis Honor Mr Justice Ward, Mr R. H. Rhodes, and Mr Studholme, M.H.R., was about to leave Tiinaru for Temuka, when one of the horses, after a knowing glance at the gentlemen composing the party, refused to stir an inch. The affair is amusingly described by a correspondent to the “ Timaru and Gladstone Gazette”:—“ The brute was incorrigible, however, and, as a last resource, the driver was obliged to unship his load —when his Honor seized one wheel, and Mr Rhodes, after spitting three times and rubbing his hands twice, seized another, the Judge, in the mean time, having applied his whole force to the back of the coach, and Mr Studholme, who seems to be an adept at it, having seized a stick, which he used so unremittingly and dexterously upon the horse, that the animal began to feel uneasy. The bystanders also closed in upon the coach, and with a good ‘ Rollo,’ a bravo «Bobby,’ and well done the ‘ Judge,’ the brute began to move, and was soon off at full speed. The start was so sudden that each man lost his

hold of the coach, and, in the height of their excitement, perhaps fearing they might be left behind, started after it at a dashing pace, and a prettier race we have not seen for a long time. Mr Rhodes, having got the start, kept the lead, hotly pursued by his honor, on whom Mr Studholme was fast making ground ; the Judge was also getting into wind, and coming up admirably, when the coachman, who had got his horses turned, met them and took them up again.” Shaw. —Mr W. Shaw, formerly Mayor of Hokitika, and proprietor of the “ West Coast Times,” in its most prosperous days, lately started a small paper in Honolulu ; but—- “ There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood,” so Shakespeare says, and he knew much of most things, “ leads on to fortune.” Mr Shaw, it would appear, so far as regards Honolulu, had commenced at the ebb tide of fortune, and we regret to learn has been compelled to succumb. Fine Arts. —Most people have an impression that tbe Alpine region of the Middle Island contains some of the finest scenery to be met with in any quarter of the globe, and a few know that such really is the case. M. Chevalier, Mr Gully, and other artists, have to some extent made us familiar with tbe scenery to which we refer, and their pictures have attracted attention both in England and the Australian colonies. The “ Lyttelton Times” has had the privelege of inspecting a number of sketches recently taken by Mr C. D. Barraud, of Wellington, during a short tour in Otago and Southland. They are chiefly scenes from what is usually called the Lake District of the former province, and fully bear on the reputation it has acquired for grandeur, sublimity, and picturesque loveliness. The sketches are, of course, rmlv the raw material, as it were, for finished pictures, but they prove, had such proof been necessary, that Mr Barraud is as happy in selecting bis subject as he is skilful in treating it. Speared by Blacks —A correspondent of tbe “Cleveland Bay Express” writes from Normanton “ The blacks have committed another murder at the Normau, the victim beipg a sailor belonging to Hardie and Nelson’s vessel. The unfortunate man had been absent three or four days, and it was thought that he bad deserted, the vessel sailing without him before the murder was discovered. A day or two afterwards his body was found a short distance from the town with a spear through his brain, and of course quite dead.” Taking Revenge.—“Underthe Verandah” relates a very ingenious, but at the same time very shady, method of levying black mail which has been hit upon by a sporting publican in the Western district. Having had an agrarian dispute with a wealthy neighbor, he avenges himself by announcing bis intention to start a rabbit warren in his paddock for the benefit and amusement of the local shots. Of course, with the fate before their eyes of Mr Robertson, who spent more than £15,000 in extirpating the rabbits from his estate, the neighboring land proprietors are reduced to the most abject state of terror by the threat, and concede everything which their victimiser demands. Ought there not to be some remedy at law for such conduct as the enterprising boniface suggests F What if some scoundrel should propose to turn a cart-load of snakes loose in the Eitzroy Gardens, or an unscrupulous caterer for public amusements were to open a rat-pit at Ballarat, that fortunate city to which the Hanoverian invader has not yet penetrated ? An Epoch.—On Monday, says the “ Hobart Town Mercury,” an important change occurred through which the last vestige of Imperial interference in the management of the affairs of Tasmania passed away. On that day the care of the Imperial prisoners at Port Arthur was handed over to the local Government, with all the stores belonging to Her Majesty. Nothing remains to be done but to value these belongings, and to pay for them, and then in Tasmania there will be nothing over which the Colonial Government does not possess full power. The question will now arise as to what is to be done with the penal settlement at Port Arthur, and with the few convicts, and the miserable ssemblage of old and worn out people, who are located there.