News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 20, 10 June 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

The Court of Appeal will meet on the 3rd prox. John Blackett, Esq., C.E., has been appointed Marine Engineer for the colony. Auctioneers. —The following persons have taken out licenses for the current year : —For Wellington: Messrs Geo. Hunter, J. Smith, G. Thomas, J. H. Wallace, G. H. Venncll. Eor Wanganui: Win. Emnimore, E. Lev.s, R. S. Lowe, W. Robertson. Militia and Volunteer Notices. —The resignation of D. Bell, Wellington Veteran Volunteers, has been accepted. The services of the Kai Iwi Cavalry Volunteers have been accepted, Sale of Hobses. —At Messrs Bethune and Hunter’s sale on Wednesday afternoon, the imported horse “ Youug Colstock” was knocked down to Mr Hastwell, of the Wairarapa, for £125. Two mares of the same shipment, “ Blossom ” and “ Poll” were also disposed of at £23 and £2l respectively, Mr Gilligan being the purchaser. The Hon. John Johnston, we understand, intends resigning his seat in the Provincial Council. It is rumored that Mr Walter Johnston is likely to be asked to stand for the vacancy.. There can be but one opinion of his fitness, and the electors of Karori may be congratulated if they secure his services. Mb Denis Ryan has been appointed Collector of Rates for the Tawa Elat school district. Provincial Govebnment Tenders. —The following tenders were received for the erection of a bridge at the foot of the Ritnutaka at Eeatherston :—J. A. Petherick, £297 (accepted) ; J. B. Wallace, £468; C. B. Vine, £483 ; Ross and Thompson, £539 ; Cave and Cavenhead, £325 ,- Fritz, Jensen, £4lO. Eor the lease of the Kaiwarra toll-gate: Chas. Thompson, jun., £1,772 (accepted); Peter Churchill, £1,575 ; T. BouM, £1,641. The Subscription.— The subscription m aid of Mrs Lawrence, we are very happy to say, is being liberally responded to, about £4O having been subscribed in the course of one day. We commend the suggestions contained in the letter signed “ J. P ” in this issue, and direct the attention of our readers to it. The Weighbridge. The sinking and cementing of the well for the new weighbridge, near the Custom House, is now completed, end as the rest of the material for the erection of the scales is now on the ground, the public will be able to avail themselves of its use in the course of a few days. Lighting-dp. —The gas mains are now laid on to tbe Supreme Court buildings and we understand that during the week tbe fittings for the different offices will be completed. Mb Jas. Swan has been appointed keeper of the public pound in the town of Wanganui. Frederick Thobby, of Rangitikeh has been licensed to kill wild cattle in that district Charles Miller, of the Wainuioru, has also been licensed to kill wild unbranded cattle. Sheep Repoet. —The flocks of Messrs J. M'Kelvie and Alexander Winks, of Lower Rangitikei, have been declared infected; also that the clean certificate of David Scott, owing to the insecurity of the fence between his and the above-named flocks, has been cancelled. Ohariu Road District.— The following persons have been elected a board of wardens for the above district: —Messrs J. Bryant, J. B. Bryant, T. Basset, G. Best, E. Eagle, J. T. Williamson (chairman). Masterton School District.-— The following persons have been appointed a school committee for the above district for the ensuing year :—Messrs H. Bannister, R. Blake, H. Bentley (collector), E. Grey, R. Hare, J. M'Gregor, W. Perry, A. W. Renall (chairman), R. Williams (treasurer). Consuls. — John Rees George, Esq., has been appointed Consul tor Portugal in this Colony; and Andrew Wardrop, Esq., has been provisionally appointed as Hawaain Consul for the City of Auckland and cities adjacent. Patents. Friday’s “Gazette contains the following patent notices : —lsaac Plimmer and William Toogood respectively, of this City, have been granted letters patent for inventions of machines for the more perfect cleaning of New Zealand flax and other fibre. Charles James Pownall, of the Manawatu, has also received a similar|patent. James Munro Bertram, of Wanganui, has also received letters patent for a new process for cleaning native fibre. Supreme Court. —There are only two cases set down for hearing at the sitting of the Supreme Court to be held next week. On Monday the case Taylor v. Jordon will he heard before a common jury ; and on Wednesday the case of James v. Jordan, before a special jury. Militia Notices. The resignation of Lieutenant H. H. Eitzherbert, New Zealand Militia, has been accepted. The Upokongaro Light Horse Volunteers have been disbanded at their own request. Hymns, Ancient and Modern. The popular hymnal in the English Church is now used throughout the Army and Navy. It has received the sanction of nearly all the Bishops, is used in most of the English cathedrals and in a large number of parish churches, and has now an annual circulation of more than a million copies. Since last Easter it has been introduced into the following churches in the province of Canterbury: St. Michael’s, Christchurch, Rangiora, Elaxton, Timaru, and All Saints’, Hokitika. There can be no doubt that in a very short time it will entirely supersede the New Zealand Hymnal.

Jockey Club. —A meeting of the Jockey Club was held on Monday night. The principal business was the appointment of members' of the club to superintend the getting up of a subscription list for the cup to be run for at the first races.

The Export Meat Company, we understand, have completed their arrangements, and are to commence operations at once. Sad Accident —A telegram i-eceived on Saturday, the 3rd instant, conveys the particulars of a very sad accident which happened on the river w’thin a few miles of Ngawhakarau by which a poor man named Lawrence lost his life. The domestic circumstances of the unfortunate man make the accident very touching. The poor man, who, we believe, was not of a very robust frame, had only his daily labor to provide a subsistence for his family. It is not long since the poor man met with an accident which lamed bis hand, and laid him up for a long time. What small savings had been gathered were absorbed by doctor’s fees, so that by the time he was able to go to work once more, his family was in' very sore straits for the necessaries of life. This sad sequence to such a ruu of ill fortune will .exact the deepest commisseration among the settlers of the district, where deceased had created the most favorable opinions from bis perseverance and industry. To make matters worse, the six children are all so small as to be of not the slightest use in the way of earning their own living. A deep feeling of pity at the fate of the man Cox, who recently met his death in the same district by the falling of a tree, elicited a great deal of sympathy ; but as in this case the family of Lawrence are still greater objects of pity, we sincerely hope some benevolent person will take some steps whereby the distress af the bereaved family may be in some degree al’eviated. We cannot help congratulating Mr Halcombe on his successful swim ashore. Although, a good swimmer, it was not a very encouraging prospect to follow in the wake of a gallant spirit who had succumbed to the strong and dangerous current. It was a critical position for the five men who, unable to swim, stood chest deep in the rushing rivor, with no hope but in the heroic efforts of the two who could swim.

Eire Brigade Concert.— The balance sheet of receipts and expenditure connected with the late entertainments of the Press Dramatic Club has been forwarded to us. The takings at the two entertainments amounted to £IOO 13s 6d, and the expenses incurred to £54 19s 9d, leaving a balance of £45 13s 9d, which amount has been handed over to the Wellington Volunteer Eire Brigade. The Captain of the Brigade has forwarded to us a letter acknowledging the receipt of the amount, and thanking the Club for its efforts on their behalf.

The Alarm Bell. —We learn that Mr Mills, of the Lion Foundry, was the only tenderer for the job of casting tbe alarm fire bell for tbe City Council, and his offer has been accepted. The operation will be productive of a little interest amongst the founders Of tbe place, as it is the fh’sb piece of work of that kind, on so large a scale, which has ever been attempted in Wellington. Sparrows. —We lea;a that aMr Roskell, a passerger by the Omeo last week, released a few J of these little feathered strangers, which are the cause of so much controversy at present in the Colony of Victoria. We recommend those interested in the sparrow question to commence taking notes at once, so that by the time the birds have become worthy, of consideration, we may know how to deal with them—either as a plague or a profit. Hall’s last effort. —We extract the following from Mr Hall’s advertisement in the « Sydney Morning Herald :” —Parties proceeding to the United States of America or Europe should avail themselves of this line • as the New Zealand coast is now avoided, pleasant weather and smooth seas can now be depended on. The Wonga Wonga we see from this advertisement to leave Sydney on June Ist. An advertisement is a few incheß from this curiously enough states that “ in consequence of the bad weather the departure of the s.s. Hero for Aucland is unavoidably postponed,” from which we infer that bad weather is not peculiar to New Zealand as Mr Hall would imply. Mr J. M. Batham, solicitor, of this city, has been appointed Examiner of Titles at Hokitika under the Lands Transfer Act. It is bub a short time since Mr Batham was admitted to practice; and however pleased his personal friends may be at his appointment, the volunteers must feel that they are losing one of the most thorough-going volunteers in the city. The Seventy-Mile Bush.— ln a previous issue we announced the completion of this long pending sale. The following details of the transaction are furnished by the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald”: —“The block purchased contains altogether between 250,000 and 300,000 acres. The natives have reserved from sale within this block upwards of 100,000 acres, of which 70,000 are let as runs to Europeans. Ample provision, it will be seen, is thus made for all the requirements of the natives. The price may be stated at something between £17,000 and £IB,OOO, and considering that the whole value of the block depended upon its being opened up, the price paid to the natives is certainly not too small. About 100,000 acres of tbe purchase is situated in the province of Wellington, the rest in Hawke’s Bay. The purchase has, of course, been made "by the Colonial Government, acting at the request of these provinces.” No doubt this purchase will delight the doubtful people of Otago who saw no chance of railways for the provinces of Wellington and Hawke’s Bay save out of the land fund of the South Island. Land Transfer Act. —The “Wanganui Herald” of the Ist, sa/s: —We have several times drawn public attention to the advantages which this Act affords for the economical disposal of properties, and for the obtaining of clear and perfect titles to all in dispute, but until land-brokers are appointed here, the public cannot reap the benefits which the Act offers, and to all intents it remains a dead letter.

Immigfation and Public Works.— A proclamation published in a Government Gazette, issued on Thursday, notifies that his Excellency the Governor has delegated to the Honorable William Gisborne, the Minister o Public Works, full power and authority, so long as he shaU remain such minister, from time to time to give and sign all necessary notices, end to do, sign, and execute all such further or other acts, deeds, matters, or things which may be requisite under the provisions of the said first mentioned act (or under the provisions of the several acts therewith incorporated), for ascertaining and determining the compensation to be made to any persons being owners of, or having any lesser estate or' interest in any lands taken, occupied, or used under the authority of the said acts or one of them, or which may be damaged by the construction of any such railway. In exercise of the same powers, his Excellency has conferred upon the Hon. Francis Dillon Bell, of Dunedin, full power to accept all tenders for " the construction of sections two and three of the railway from Dunedin to Clutha. Appointments. —Hanson Turton, Esq., of Napier, has been appointed a Trust Commissioner under “ The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870,” for the Poverty Bay District; and the Hon. Daniel Pollen has been appointed in a s ; milar capacity for the Auckland district. W. S. Von Sturmer, Esq., has been appointed Resident Magistrate for the Bay of Islands. Wm. Russell, Esq., has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of Stamp Duties for the district of Southland.

Eire. —At 2 o’clock on Thursday morning a fire took place at the Taita, a house belonging to Mr Eagan being entirely destroyed. The building was a large one, containing fifteen rooms, and by the time the alarm was given all hopes of saving the property were given up, the fire having obtained a complete mastery. Very little of the furniture and effects were saved. It is rumored that the property was insured in the London, Liverpool, and Globe for £2OO, and also that a policy in another office had expired only a few days ago. The loss to Mr Fagan is estimated at £I,COO, the furniture being partly covered by a policy for £3OO. The origin of the fire is a mystery at present. Entertainment. —We were glad to see a large audience on Thursday night at St Paul’s schoolroom, and feel certain that the majority had no reason to regret going out on such a damp evening, as the entertainment was of the most enjoyable kind. As might be expected from those who have enough been kind to give their assistance at these entertainments the vocal music was on the whole of the very best which can be produced in the city. The readings were very good in their way, and at times would no doubt have received considerable applause ; but we fancied last .night that they almost fell flat. The readers were the Rev. Archdeacon Stock, Mr Powles, and Mr Warren, the reading of the last-named gentleman being encored. The song “ Should he Upbraid,” by Mrs Parsons, was a gem, and the natural sequence (the good taste of which we have our doubts about) was that the sweet songstress had to submit to an encore. A duet, “ The singing Lesson,” by Mrs Parsons and Mr Mowbray, was well received, and was well worthy of it. Another duet for male voices, “All’s Well,” by Messrs Gore and Widdop, was accurately given, with considerable finish, and was highly appreciated. Burns’ sweet melody, “ Ye banks and braes,” would have delighted the heart and ear of the most cosmopolitan -of Scotchmen. Various other selections of vocal music were executed with more than common excellence, but we have only thought it necessary to mention those pieces which seemed best to strike the humor and taste of the audience. We congratulate the promoters of these entertainments on the taste and judgment they have evinced in making their selections.

The Highland Corps met for drill on Thursday night at Mr Pearce’s shed, and Drill Instructor Nelley complimented the members on the aptitude they displayed in obeying the word of command. Several new members were sworn in, and several more who did not attend last night have expressed their intention of enrolling themselves at next drill. The corps is to undergo two drills a week —on Wednesdays and Fridays.- The corps have taken the proper course to make themselves an excellent corps.

The Subscription.— About £6O has been a 1 ready subscribed in town in aid of the fund being raised for Mrs Lawrence. Supreme Court. —The whole of the criminal cases set down for trial were got through on Monday. The case against Ellen M'Donald was withdrawn from the calendar. In the case of John Hennmgham, for bestiality, the jury were locked up for three hours and a half before they could come to a verdict, and on returning into Court with a verdict of Guilty, His Honor, without making any remarks, sentenced the prisoner to fifteen years* imprisonment. The man had been a soldier in the 18th Regiment, and had been working in the neighborhood of Wanganui. The man Wether ill, for arson, displayed, a marvellous resignation of all claims to the advantages or enjoyments of intercourse with the outward world, his offence being committed with the deliberative intention of procuring the comforts of a home, so far as comports with prison discipline, without having to resort to the unavoidable itinerancy of an up-country straggler. In sentencing the man, his Honor said he could understand a man in straitened circumstances stealing a loaf or any other article of food, but the offence committed by the prisoner was too serious a one to be treated lightly, and he sentenced the man to two years’ imprisonment. Tobacco Manufacture.— The natives at the settlement of Rangowhaia, in the province of Auckland, have commenced the cultivation and manufacture of tobacco.

Hutt Bridge. —Among the papers laid upon the Council table on Tuesday was a report (accompanied with plans) by Mr Blackett, containing his observations regarding a permanent site for the Hutt Bridge. Three sites, all being apparently well adapted as sites whereon to erect a bridge, are described, Site No. 1 is on the western side of the valley about 100 chains further up the river, near a spot where the river infringes with considerable force against the right bank, which is composed of clay and rubble. It is anticipated that from the present general tendency of the river no change in the position need be apprehended for a long time. The site could also be further secured by protective works on the eastern bank above it, which is of clay and extends to the present main road. Site No. 2 is down the river from the present bridge at a spot where the river runs between grassy banks which seem to have been undisturbed for a considerable time. Amongst other advantages possessed by this site the bridge would cross the stream at right angles to the line of the valley, the bridge could be approached from the western road, the stream is comparatively narrow, the banks could be easily made secure, and the distance to the main road is less. In both these sites the western approaches might be made very substantial, but the eastern side seems to be liable to be covered by heavy floods. Site No. 3 is' not considered as eligible a one as either of those already mcntiened, as its maintenance wquld demand more care and outlay. Mr Vogel and the Loan. —The N.Z L. & M. Agency Co.’s circular for April says The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer and Post-master-General arrived in London on 18th March, and has been busily occupied with his responsible duties since his arrival. The political circumstances of the few days after his arrival conspired to offer an opportunity, which was ably seized, for carrying out the first portion of the financial programme of the colony, connected with the public works and immigration policy of the present Government. The operation met with complete success. The particulars are—New Zealand Government Five per Cents., representing £1,200,000, were placed on Thursday, the 6th inst., by public tender, at the offices of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, £707,100 bemg taken at and above £96, and £492,900 at and above £95 10s 9d, the average rate being £95 17s 6d Taking interest, however, into consideration, the net price of issue is shown to be about £95 10s 9d. This is the first instalment of two loans, viz. £1,000,000 authorised by the “ Defence and other purposes Loan Act,” and £4,000,000 under the “Immigration and Public Works Loan Act,” which last includes £1,000,000 to be guaranteed by the Imperial Government under Act of Parliament passed last year. A Steamer for Lake Taupo. —We observe that tenders have been called for the construction of a steamer to ply on Lake Taupo. When the road from the West Coast to Tokano is opened up, the steamer will Bupply the remaining link in the communication between Wanganui on the one hand and Napier and Auckland via Taupo on the other. It will also enable the crops from the rich lands at Tokano to be brought into the market. Steam seems to be the great civilising power of the present time, and it will be strange indeed if Hauhauism can continue to exist within sound of the steam whistle. We shall look on the launching of this steamer as another stride towards that period which all hope for, but which the lil-boding ones consider coeval with the millenium. English readers, when they learn that a steamboat plies daily on this sheet of water, will have some difficulty in realising how it is possible any longer to talk of rebels and rebel territory. Indeed, it would not be surprising to hear shortly of a parallel ease to that recorded of the Premier on one of his trips on, the West Coa3t;, when he discovered that the guard of the coach had been a noted rebel. Mr Fox may therefore have the gratification one ot these days, if he should take a trip on Taupo Lake, of learning that the head stoker was once a rascally rebel. Gold in Wellington.— We aro informed on the most reliable authority that gold has been discovered in the Manawatu Gorge, and a letter and a telegram, both epnfirming the report, were reoeived on Saturday evening. Wo believe the exact locality is only about thirty-five miles from Foxton, and gold was found in the vicinity a few years ago. There are stories, too, of a small nugget having been found many years ago adhering to tKe roots of a tree which had been washed down the stream.

A Seal.— A small specimen of the Phoea genus waa shot on the beach between Ngahauranga and Eaiwarra on Saturday afternoon by Mr James Brady. The animal is about three feot long, and is of a species very common to the less frequented bays and inlets of the West Coast of New Zealand, more particularly of the Middle Island. The posterior supporters or flappers present- the usual appearance, having the nails or claws corresponding to the digital number of the human species. The head presented the ferocious appearance common to the animal when enraged, a formidable armament of ivory being displayed, with the practical application of which its captor narrowly escaped an unpleasant intimacy, a portion of the sleeve of his coat being torn by a bite. Being of a gregarious nature, our hirsute visitor was not friendless, and it was reported during Saturday evening that one or two others had been captured. During the evening an empty shop was hired, and a placard outside announcing the exhibition of “ A Sea Monster,” a goodly number of Saturday evening strollers paid toll. The Taranaki Steel Sand is again under trial; but this time under the auspices of the Colonial Government. Experiments are being made which will show among other things why former attempts hare failed j how its manu-

factum must prove a commercial success, and in how many respects the steel produced is superior to any yet known. We can only say that we have great hopes of the success, but the results of those experiments, favorable or otherwise, will not be known for about two monts, and will be .then fully reported in or” columns.

Mail for New Zealand. —The “News of the World” says :—Postmaster-General Vogel, of New Zealand, in contracting with Mr Webb for the establishment of a mail line of steamships, had a provision in the contract that ample room should be provided (giving the dimensions) for the mail matter on each ship. This space was nearly filled on the Nevada, which sailed last month. The same room has been provided on board of the Nebraska, which sails on Saturday next. It is now evident that double the space will be required to accommodate the enormous mail now hero and accumulating daily. As this is nearly all from England, no better proof of the popularity of the American route than this is needed. Postmaster Stone, of this citj', says that he is cramped for room to dispose of this new mail matter, and will have to have more help to handle it, which, altogether, speahs well for our new Australian steamers. Thatcher.— The “ inimitable” Thatcher has recently arrived in London from the United States. Mr Thatcher has renounced the “ comic” business, and is now a speculator in works of art and articles of virtu, and visits the Continent occasionally as a purchaser of this description of merchandise. In a letter from Thatcher, published in the “ Southern Cross,” he describes his adventures in Paris, where he had, during the beleagrement, been confined as a prisoner. Now that he has taken to a “ serious” way of life, it would bo interesting to hear him describe the transition from gay to grave under the enlivening circumstances of a bombardment and a course of short commons on hot rat.

Fire Brigade Meeting. —A meeting of the W.Y.F. Brigade was held on Monday night at Moeller’s Hotel. About 40 members, Messx-s G. Hunter, E. Pearce, A. P. Stuart, Archdeacon Stock, and Mr James Osgood were present during the proceedings. Considerable discussion took place on various matters of interest to the Brigade. The balance sheet was read by the Secretary, and showed a balance in favor of the Brigade of about £2l. The Annual report was also read, and received. The election of officers was proceeded with, and resulted as follows : —Captain Whiteford re-elected Captain, Junior Captain Wilson being also re-elected ; Member Susans was elected Senior Lieutenant, and Member M‘Guire as Junior Lieutenant; Member Fisk was appointed Treasurer; Secretary Wethenll was unanimously re-elected Secretary; Member’s Hitch and Bird were elected as branchmen, but as Mr Hitch declined the honor, Edward Tolley was elected in his place; Henry Wood and Richard Donovan were nominated also as branchmen by Captain Wilson, and unanimously elected. The following members were elected as a standing committee : —Members Tolley, Bird, Austin, and Langston. Yotes of thanks to the representatives of the Insurance Companies for their kindness in attending the meeting, to Archdeacon Stock for his services in the past as treasurer, and also to the retiring officers, were given, and brought the business to a close. Exemption. —A gentleman named Braithwaite, who had been summoned to serve*on the Grand Jury, claimed exemption, on the ground that he was a militia officer. His Honor expressed some doubt On the point, but on reference to the act, it was found that officers of volunteers can only claim exemption for active service, but that officers of militia could claim exemption from serving on juries whether on active service or not. His Honor in exempting Mr Braithwaite, exshould pressed his surprise that that gentleman desire to exclude himself from the functions belonging to the status in society to which his position entitled him; pointing out that in England the honor to which he had been elected was one regarded as a high mark ot distinction by those on whom it was conferrred. A Strange W me prom the Sea. —Yesterday, while some young men were takiug the fresh air under the cliffs behind the Green Island Bush, they found a live penguin tied to a walking-stick with a pocLet-liaudkerchief. From the appearance of the stick it is evident that the bird must have been dragging it through the sea for some time.—“ Dunedin Star.” To Test Kerosene. —A correspondent of the “Brisbane Courier” supplies the following test for determining the quality of kerosene : —“ On receiving a tin of kerosene, sample it, then take two or three short pieces of Berlinwool oi’ unravelled string, dip them in the oil, lay them down, light one end, when, if the flame rushes rapidly along, the kerosene is of too explosive a nature to be safely used.” Settling Down at the Thames.—A Thames paper states that the improvement which has lately shown itself in mining affairs on the field is extending in other directions. There is quite a demand for’cottages in the townships, and even in Shortland, where a few weeks ago houses could be obtained rentf .’ee, and almost at a will let freely at a considerable advance upon eny terms which have been obtained for the last twelve months. Snowed Up —The Tomintoul correspondent of the “Inverness Courier” states that four sheep were taken out alive from below a bank of snow in that district after having been imprisoned for 15 clays. The animals were huddled together among the heather in a small open space under the snow. A Falling Ope.— The Parnell Highway Board is actually using a donkey and cart to metal the roads with. This unfortunate beast formerly belonged to the Bishop of New Zealand. Alas! that he should have come to his present degraded condition.

Accident.— The Otago “ Times” of the 27th ult says :—A painful accident, and one which, it i 9 feared, will terminate fatally, occurred at Caversham on Thursday. Between two and three o’clock in the afternoon of that day loud screams were heard in the house of Mr C. Goodall. A neighbor living opposite, Mrs Oswald, on hearing the cries, went to the window, and saw a child enveloped in flames runacross the paddock. With great presence of mind she snatched up a eioak and wrapped it round the child, whom she rolled on the ground, thus extinguishing the flames. The child was found, on examination, to be burned all over the front of the body, from the neck to the 6hins, Such remedies as were at hand were promptly applied, and the child was then taken to the hospital, but no hopes are entertained of its recovery. The child, which is a girl, is between two and three years of ago, and had been left in charge of her elder sister, who went away, leaving her beside the fire, when her clothes became ignited. Aprican Quartz. —Quartz yielding Boz and lOoz of gold to the ton has been found on the East Coast of Africa, in the tract of country lying between the Limpopo and Zambesi rivers. Scientific explorers have discovered that gold is “ very widely distributed over this region, but on'y in quartz reefs, not in alluvial washings.” Education in America. —A report recently made to Congress by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Education, shows that there are 3,000,000 adults in the United States, out of an aggregate population of about 38-2-millions, who cannot read and Wi*ite. Of those 1,653,800 are negroes, who were formerly slaves, and the remainder are chiefly immigrants from Europe, especially from Ireland. It is stated to be an extremely rare thing to find a native-born American adult white who cannot read and write. The Barbarity op Neutrals. —Dr. Russell, in a late letter to the “ Times” from Versailles, discussing the difficulties of a corres pondent in war time who wishes to be strictly neutral, says he has no doubt he could parallel either Count de Chaudordy’s or Count Bismarck’s list of barbarities : —The great fallacy to be disposed of, in my belief, after seeing a good deal of war, is that war can ever be civilised, and that a business which is essentially the work of death, and the taking of what belongs to the weak by the strong, can ever be conducted so as to enlist the sympathies of neutrals on the side of the conqueror. I believe it will be found invariably that neutral powers always at the end of a struggle tend to use their influence to mitigate the consequences of victory, and to diminish the severities of the conqueror. Pumpkins. —A prominent physician of New York, speaking of the properties of pumpkins, says that in his travels in Syria he found pumpkin seeds almost universally eatenby the people for their supposed medicinal qualities. Not because they are diuretic ; but as an antidote against animalculas, which infest the bowels. They are sold in the street as apples and nuts -are here. It is said to be a medical fact that persons have been cured of tape worms by the use of pumpkin seeds. The outer skin being removed, the seeds are bruised in a mortar into an oily pasty mass. It is swallowed by the patient, after fasting some hours, and it takes the place of a chyle in the stomach, and the tape worm lets go its hold on the membrane and becomes gorged with this substance, and, iu some measure, probably torpid. Then a large dose of castor oil is administered, and the worms are unable to renew their hold, A Glimpse into the Futere.— The New York “ Tribune” tells us that it has been supposed that the office of supplying practical information regarding the future state was monopolised by witches,warlocks, clairvoyants, table-tippe.-s, and like uncanny persons. Strenuous as were the efforts of these mysterious but amiable beings to make us “ see heaven and the angels therein,” their descriptions have ever savoured somewhat too much of the vague and misty rhetorical. It remains to a clergyman in a western town to reduce our floating, ideals of Heaven to a scientific certainty. This worthy gentleman —after attentively conning the Book of Revelations — has made a little mathematical calculation which assures him that he knows the exact measurement of Heaven in good substantial square miles. Another wild excursion into mathematics produces the number of persons who have died in the faith since the beginning of Christianity. Putting this and that together, the reverend savant has arrived at the very uncomfortable conclusion that “ there’s going to bo an awfully tight squeeze, and we shall all be obliged to sit very close together, and sing the best way we can. Such scientific accuracy is beyond praise, and the emulation of any witch, warlock, clairvoyant, and tabictipper whatever; but the prospect might be a little more enchanting if we only knew whom we were to “ sit very close” to through all eternity. A Centenar t AN. — A Queensland paper states that there is now in the Brisbane Hospital a man named James Welsh, who says he is one hundred and two years of age. He professed to have taken part in the Rebellion of 1788, when he was forced, under threats of death, to join the rebels and fight with them. He was then twenty-nine years old. Forty-four years of his life have been spent in this part of Australia, and no one will doubt his statement that he has seen “ hard times.” Victoria and California.— The population of Victoria, as is found by the recent Census to amount to 727,000. The poppulation of the State of California, according to the Census token last year was only 560,285. Government Life Assurance. —ln Queenstown (Lako Wakatip) Captain Baldwin has met an unexpected success on behalf of the Government Life Assurance and Annuity system.

Jenny Lind. —By mril we have the particulars of the libel suit in which Madame Jenny Lind Goldschmidt has lately figured. It seems that“Woodhu!landClrflin’s Weekly” published a naragraph staff lg that Madame Goldschmidt s husband had run through her splendid fortune, and that “ the i n -mated pair” had separaded by mutue’ nsent. This perag mph was copied into “Public Oph 'on,” a London paper, and suit was brought to recover damages for the i: bellous I_'om the testimony of Madame Goldschmidt, her husband, and the’” f.’iends, it was proved that the marriage had been a most happy one ; the pr-'v have had three cl 'ld ’en, and the ample four 16 of the lady has been increased handsomely. The result was that “Public Opinion” was mu cted in the amount ot £750; another journal which copied the item had to pay a like sum, and a fh'-d prid £SOO. So much for the i ’-nalir’ed gossip of the Misses Woodhull and Clrflin. Tne world will rest tranquil how (hat, it '■ rows r'l about Jerry L'nd’s private affairs. Vfiy Jr ractical. —A letter found, or supposed to be found, iu the pocket of a dead German f om his Gretehen is published today. “If you shou’d happen to pillage a shop,” says this practicr 1 young lady, “ don’t forget me,' but get me a pair of o?r----rings.” Tne family of this wr-rior appears to be inc” ted to look aicer the main chance, for the letter goes on to say that his mother had knitted him a jacket, but bi» ng done so, had worn it herse’f ever since instead of sending it to lrm. Gretehen vfffi never get her 6arxhngs, and the mother may wear her jacket now without fteling that she is depriving her son of it, for the poor fe”ow lies under 3ft. of sol 1 near Le Bourget.

The Science op Eating. —The “ Melbourne Telegraph” says : —Slightly parodying Terence, we may say that we rre eaters, and that nothing concerning eating but must be of interest to us. From this point of view, the seige of Paris was an event of rerl and permanent —and not merely military and heroic —interest to mankind. It was a practical i^us l ration of the poet’s lme that “ Man wants but little here below.” At the ordmary rate of consumption, the vlcluals in the city would not have lasted anything like one-half the time they ch’d, and yet, -hough in the latter weeks of the siege the mortality tables showed a lementnble increase, that, we eve also told, was due not to starvation, but to the absence of a proper diet —to a lack of medical comforts, in fact —for invalids, for women, and for children. The adult population was in rare spirits and fine fighting condition on its reduced rations to the last. The fact seems to have escaped notice, end yet it is one on which an essay might be written with the title, say, of “ The Daily Waste of Daily Food.” Sydney Smith calculated that every year he ate half a waggon load more than was good for him—the result in his case of a social disposition which led him first to dine out, and then left him unable to say “ no” to his entertainers. One is forced to the conclusion that every Parisian was a Sydney Smith, if not in the head in the stomach. And what, gentle reader, are we; and without the amiable wit’s temptation P

Bismarck and Yon Moltke. —The, New York “ Tribune” pays the foliowing tribute to these two famous men :— ‘ Bismarck finds his reward iu promotion ; Yon Moltke takes his in a decoration. The new rank of Bismarck is the highest a Prussian subject can hope to attain ; the jewel of Yon Moltke is the richest a German soldier can win. The Empire which he created makes the arch Diplomatist a Prince of the rea’m. The empire which he cemented and consolidated gives tho great soldier the Grand Cross of its chief order of Knighthood—a decoration presented exclusively to winners of decisive battles and captors or defenders of fortrosses. But the rewards are inadequate to the merits of tho men. No such diplomacy as thafihy which Couut Bismarck united Germany has been successful in Europe these hundreds of years. Napoleon I. himself never created such an army as that organised by Yon Moltke, or made more energetic war than the Geanan march from the Rhine to Paris. It is common at this distance to rail at Bismarck as crafty, and perhaps the harsh judgment is. just, but it is undeniable that, his craft has been exclusively, and untiringly employed, and his ambition only satisfied, in making Germany great and united. It must nob be forgot in dismissing him to probable retirement and peace that in all his triumphs, when at the gates alike of Yienna and Paris, his moderation and sagacity restrained the Germcn powers, and prevented wtr from becomiug general throughout all Europe. Had he permitted the Prussian army to enter Yienna, as it might have done after Sadowa, he would not on'y have frightened France into interference, but, worse still, have inculcated but 3 of German Prussia in German Austria, and thus placed beyond ths hope of remote realization the dreams of the Hohenzo l Kerens that they are to reign in the palaces of the Hapsburgs. Bismarck could not deny to German soldiers to enter Pe"is, but be made the humiliation of the French capital light to that which, bis own had endu-ed at French hands. Bismarck’s greatest reward is yet to come in being understood. For Von Moltke appreciation has already come. Tho organisation of the Prussian staff, which conceals Jthe motive power behind the the throne, has not served to veil his greatness; and the world recognises him as indisputably the greatest of educated soldiers. Reefing in Otago.— The tributors of the Table Hill Reef have every reason to be satisfied with the success which is now attending their labors. We (“ Bruce Herald”) have great pleasure in recording the fact that the result of the fortnight’s crushing is represented by a cake of amalgam weighing 660 z 12dwta the previous fortnight’s return being 550 z. thus showing an upward tendency.