News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 21, 17 June 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

Annual Inspection.—Colonel Harrington a; rived on Thursday in the Taranaki, for the purpose of making his annual inspection of the volunteer forces of the Colony. Subscription—Bet-ween £65 and £7O has been subscribed for Mrs Lawrence. The Press Amateur Dramatic Company are going to work with a will in the cause, with every determination to make the performance a great pecuniary success. The amateurs wish to direct the attention of the public to the fact that their performance will be given at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Monday week, and every exertion will be made on their part to make the performance as successful as the - '? last. Land Transfer Notices have now become as prominent a feature of the Government Gazette as Thames Gold Mining notices were at one time.

The Theatre.—The directory of the new Theatre Company have decided that one of two sites on the reclaimed land would be suitable for the theatre, and intend waiting on the Provincial Government to ascertain the price at which thev could obtain them before deciding on purchasing. The PncBBE. —Our readers will be soriy to learn that the spirited proprietor of the Phcobe fas found it necessary to lay her up for the present. Wednesday all hands were discharged, amounting; in all to 37. We understand it is Mr Martin's intention to take her over to Sydney for disposal. The loss of the Phoebe as a favorite coastal steamer will be greatly felt. In the southern port 3of New Zealand especially her qualities as a seagoing boat were greatly appreciated. The timid and the sea-sickness-dreading waited for the Phcobe; and it will take some time to reconcile many to go in any other boat, however excellent. The loss of employment to so many is by no means a pleasant theme to dwell on ; but we presume, from the well-known spirit of enterprise which has always distinguished our fellow townsman, that it was a necessity reluctantly forced upon him. We are aware that we are writing upon what is purely a matter of business, but it is impossible altogether to avoid expressing regret in losing from our shores an old and valued favorite of the public. If the Phoebe goes to other waters, may every success attend her!

Supreme Court.—The long pending ease, James v. Blaker, was terminated on Thursday night. The facts of the case, compendiously stated, dve these. In 1852 the plaintiff leased from Mr Fitzherbert the site on which Mr Blaker's boot and shoe shop stands on Lamb, ton quay, at a yearly rental of £B, with the right to purchase the fee simple at any tune within twenty-one years for £l7O, or to buy it at once for £7O. The plaintiff chose the higher figure and the longer term ; and, making up his mind to leave Wellington at the time of the gold exodus to Australia, he left the mpuagement of the whole transaction in the hands of Mr Brandon, with directions to make the best he could of the matter, but with vague instructions as to the absolute disposal of the freehold. Acting upon this, Mr Brandon, who was acting as agent for all parties connected witli the land, sold the building which James had left partly finished. The tee simple of the property in the meantime had changed from Mr Fitzherbert to Captain Daniel, who_ in turn sold to Blaker, James' interest becoming merged in such a way as to be almost entirely left out of sight, Mr Brandon considering that he would be best consulting his interest by applying any proceeds accruing from that interest to the extinguishment of a mortgage held over the property by Mr Dorsett, and there Mr Brandon held James's interest ceased. On James becoming aware of these facts he came down to Wellington iu 1860, and commenced an action, but from causes unexplained that action fe n through, and nothing more was heard of it till the commencement of the present action, when James sued Mr Blaker, who had never previously knowa anything of him in connection with the purchase of the land, for sixteen years rent at £l3 a year. To this the defendant put in pleas of never indebted, which were amended during the course of the trial by the putting in of set-off pleas, and ultimately the debt was reduced to £3 ss, which amount his Honor directed the jury to find for plaintiff, with discretion to find to the amount of £BO. After an absence of an hour and a half the jury found for the plaintiff to the amount of £3 ss. This verdict carries costs and sustains Mr Brandon's action in the conduct of the transactions on behalf of the plaintiff. It must be understood that this action in no way affected the validity of Blaker's title, although it goes a long way towards setting at rest a matter that has been surrounded with doubt and vexation for a long period of years.

Host Osgood— Our readers will be pleased to learn that Mr Osgood has again commenced business in Wellington, having become the landlord of the Metropolitan Hotel," Molesworth street. There can be little doubt that with Mr Osgood's well known tact as a host the hotel must become a standard house, and, during the session, a sort of parliamentary resort. °We wish every success to the new host. Assault.—Hy. Hipworth, who some time since figured in the Supreme Court, was charged on Wednesday with assaulting James Carsons. From the evidence of the wife and daughter of prosecutor, there was no doubt about the nature of the assault. Hepworth evidently bore an old grudge against the Carsons for having been a witness against him- in the Court, and after being liberated from gaol threatened something desperate to him or burn his house. The history of the assault was that Hipworth struck Carsons with a brick while near his home on the previous evening, the blow was so severe as to stun Carsons for a short time. His Worship sentenced the prisoner to three months' bard labor.

Benjamim Smith, Esq., has resigned his appointment as Provisional Trustee in Bankruptcy for the Judicial District of Wellington. Dangerous Accident.—A waggon and horse belonging to Mr Hodder, of the Pakuratahi, was being driven across the Hutt river on Tuesday when it met with an accident of a most unusual nature, and one which might have resulted fatally. Waggon, horse, and man stuck in a most precarious position for some time, during which the driver was told to let go and make for the shore. The driver, however, stuck to the horse as long as he could with the hope of saving him, until at length the whole turn-out disappeared beneath the flood. Everybody thought the man was drowned, as there was no signs of him for some time. At length his hand appeared above the water, and some men, at the risk of their lives, rushed in and pulled the man out. The horse was drowned, and the waggon is still in the stream. Baker's Hiee —The retorting of the amalgam obtained from the crushing of the stuff taken out for trial took place on Monday, the result being a yield of 7 dwts 3 grains to the ton. .This is not so high as the result given by the stuff from the upper drive, 24 cwt of which was tested some six or seven months ago, and gave a yield of 19 dwt. for the whole amount put through the machine, but the present is considered a more satisfactory prospect on account of the much greater ease with which it can be worked and the greater amount of stuff to be obtained. The stone from which the trial crushing was taken was struck at 300 feet, and the hands have driven 18 feet further without any change ; indeed, the opinion seems to be that it is getting richer as the length of the drive increases. What the next step will be we are not in a position to say ; but we presume they will be anxious to ascertain the exact thickness of the auriferous dyke, and to see if it really does become richer on the eastern side. In all probability this would not prove either a tedious or expensive job. That having been done, the company will doubtless then consider the question of going on with the working of the claim in a proper and systematic manner. Although the yield of gold is not very rich in proportion to the amount of stuff crushed, yet when we consider the extraordinary thickness of the lode, anyone can readily see what an immense quantity of gold is embedded in the hill. The vein appears to be of a pyrimidal form, the first drive having struck it only nine inches wide, while in the second it is not crossed in eighteen feet. We believe a meeting of shareholders will be called shortly. Morris Again.—Mr Crawford kept the promise he made to the maniacal Morris the last time he appeared before him, and sentenced him to a month's imprisonment; and, in order that he should have the more time to gather his scattered wits, the usual accompanimont of hard labor was remitted. As this means " short commons," Morris, while having abundant food for reflection, will not be in a position to quarrel with an excess of food for bodily sustenance. While in the box, the prisoner's demeanor was highly suggestive of a necessity for a straight jacket, though once handed over to the tender mercies of the police, he suddenly became a model of docility. It appeared from the evidence that Morris made no sign during the time service was going on, but, immediately after the " blessing" was pronounced, Morris jumped up excitedly, and demanded, in the loudest of tones, that the Rev. Mr Cummings should read "that letter to the congregation." On being put out, he commenced yelling out " Fire, fire." The prisoner indulged in his usual blasphemous incoherency, and was anxious that the credentials of his special mission should be produced as witnesses on his behalf. These consisted of a square of dirty calico covered with the same strange devices he had chalked some time ago on the residence of the Bishop. From the evidence of Sergeant Monaghan, it appears that the prisoner has sufficient method in his madness to subsist without working, and to still further weaken a diseased mind by constantly drinking. Eating—Mr W. T. L. Travers gives the following opinion to the City Council on the question of rating ministerial residences : Referring to your letter of the sth instant, I am of opinion that any residence, whether the property of a religious denomination, or of a private individual, which, at the date of making a rate, is occupied as an exclusive dwelling by a minister of a religious denomination, must be excluded from the rate. The act does not merely exempt such property from rates, but declares it shall not be deemed rateable property whilst used as a residence. If. a minister goes into occupation of a property which, at the time of the making of a rate, was not so occupied, he is no more exempt from payment than any other person. The effect of this opinion is that only one residence for each minister can in each year be exempted. —Wm. Thos. Locke Tr avers.

A Farewell.—A considerable number of the friends of the Hon. John Johnston and of Mr Thomas Kebbell assembled on the wharf early on Sunday morning to wish both of those gentlemen a farewell on their voyage to the old country. Mr Johnston left by the eastward route in the s.s. Wellington, Mr Kebbell going by the s.s. Ahuriri, having to transact some business at Nelson.

A Runaway.—On Saturday a horse and trap, laden with some plants to be placed on board one of the steamers at the wharf, _came bolting down Sydney street at a furious pace. The horse Lad taken fright, and, being a young one, the person in charge could not hold him in once he had started: The horse cleverly turned the corner at Molesworth street, but having too much curvelinear way on could not fetch himself up in time to resume a straight track down Molesworth street, and the cart wheel, after effecting a very close shave round the lamp post, ripped away two or three sheets of the corrugated iron fence round the grounds of the Government House,

Luckily neither the horse nor the trap was injured. The wheel became securely locked in the fence, and the horse seemed very indignant at so sudden a termination to his impromptu trip down town, and began to show his displeasure by plunging and kicking. Had nofc the Hon. Mr Gisborne opportunely arrived on the scene and secured the animal by the head, in all likelihood there would have been something more serious happen than the conversion of a portion of the corrugated iron -fence from Vandyke into frill. Port Nicholson Goed-Mining Investment Company.—We understand the above company is in such a flourishing way as to be able to pay a sixth dividend. The shareholders of the company, no doubt, consider themselves fortunate that while many people who did the "hatter" in the way of investment, have lost what money they put in, with little additions in the way of calls, they have, by uniting and husbanding their resources, and expending them in the judicious way suggested by a unity of thought and the bringing together of the experience of numbers, has eventuated in a very welcome and flattering way. We hope to have to chronicle the fact many times over.

The Nevada.—The Nevada is due at Auckland on the 24th inst., and Captain Johnson proceeds to Auckland shortly to bring the great side-wheeler down the coast should Captain Blethen deem it advisable not to undertake the duty himself. It is highly probable that, acting on the opinion expressed by Captain Blethen as to the absence of any danger-attaching to his taking the vessel into the harbors of New Zealand, he may assume the po3t of responsibility himself on the earliest possible occasion, and that as soon as the marine regulations permit, we may see these boats enter our harbors without the assistance of pilots. At any rate, with the knowledge gained on his last trip, it is not at all unlikely that Captain Blethen will dispense with the services of the coastal pilot, availing himself only of-the services of harbor pilots. In agreement with the sentiment given expression to in the " Post" we hope the people of Wellington will do their utmost to extend to our American visitors a hearty welcome on the anniversary of the day that saw the crowning of the efforts of America's great patriot. It is stated in the " Post" that the officers of the ship look forward to spending the " glorious fourth of July," in Wellington. We might add that the occasion will lie glorious in more respects than one. It will be indubitable evidence to all unbelievers that there is something substantial in the centracr, and the men who are parties to it—that it is not the sham that our contemporary fain hoped it would prove to be; that it is the second trip o*f the vessel that wa» to come inside our harbor once only, never to appear again ; and that it is another visit of a ship that was never to come into our port at all. It is not stated that a dinner is to be given on the occasion, but if there is, it will give us the greatest pleasure to pass the leeks to the representatives of our contemporary.

Baker's Hill gully will soon become a place of considerable importance, as preparations are being made by several companies for prospecting the claims vigorously. Such as the prospect was obtained by the Baker's Hill Company out of their last ton of stone, it has been enough to demonstrate that gold is diffused through the hill in such quantities as may be made to pay, and, if worked on a large scale, to pay handsomely. Besides the original claim, there are three others taken up, one of which—the Morning Star—is expected to be as far advanced in a few months as the Baker's Hill. Tenders were called for driving a tunnel 400 feet, or less, if the lode should be struck sooner, and the contract has been obtained by Mr S. Crowder at 8s 6d per foot. Mr Crowder, it appears is going to ca.iry it out by day work, in three shifts of seven hours each,' paid at the rate of a shilling per hour per man. The men will start to-day to clear away the face, while the company will send out men to put up a building for the housing of the contractors. The company will also find tramway and trucks. Meat Preserving-.—Messrs Paterson and M'Leod have favored the Dunedin " Evening Star" with an opportunity of testing the efficacy of the meat preserving process adopted by the Otago Meat Preserving Company, Green Island, by presenting it with a sample of " corned sheep's tongues," which proved a most delicious relish. We are not surprised that meat so carefully apd skilfully cooked should be in increasing favor at home, and shall be astonished if it does not equally commend itself in the colonies. These sheep's tongues are a delicate addition to the break-fast-table or at lunch ; and up-country, where men have to cook their own victuals, they would prove an agreeable change from steaks and chops. Not the least noticeable feature in the matter is the care with which, in business phraseology, they are " got up." The tins are strong and of admirable workmanship, ai?d are proved absolutely air-tight by the fact that on piercing the tin for the purpose of opening, the condensed air rushes out with a hiss, diffussing the aroma of deliciously flavored gravy.

Small Coal.—The following, from an English paper, shews that the small waste coal from colleries need not be wasted :—Millions of tons of small coal are wasted annually in and out our colleries. For some tinie Mr Crampton has had a furnace in action in Woolwich, and another at the Bowling Ironworks, in Yorkshire, in which powder coal is only used. This powder coal is blown into the furnace with exactly the quantity of air which is required to effect the complete combustion of the coal. The effect is surprising —a mass of flame of the highest temperature fills the furnace and does its work, and no smoke whatever is seen to issue from the chimney. Thus the utilisation of all small coal is promised, great economy is expected, and the absence of smoke is fully secured,"

Land Transfer Act at Wanganui.—The " Chronicle" says that a petition, largely signed, is being sent round, urging the necessity of the appointment of land brokers generally. Mr Farrah, who some time ago made application under the act, is considered a suitable applicant.

Accident on the s.s. WANGANur.—A very painful accident occurred to Mr Charles Small on board tho Wanganui, on her trip down to Dunedin. lie was down below feeding the horses, when one of them kicked him on the knee. The injury lie received was sufficient to incapacitate him from walking, and will probably keep him confined to the house for a considerable time. —" Herald." Fatal Accident at Ngaruawhaia,-—A correspondent of the " Herald" says : —I regret to have to record tho death here by drowning of a bushman named Patrick Keane, on the night of Wednesday last. It appears that the deceased and his mate were pulling a large canoe up the Waipa river, when from some unknown cause the deceased fell into the water, and whilst his mate was getting the canoe turned b) get him on board he sank. Alarm was immediately given, but nothing could bo seen of the body, which up to this time has not been recovered. Death oe Mb Eitchie. —In its account of this lamentable occurrence, the "New Zealand Herald" says : —Mr Ritchie left town on horseback for his residence at Remuera between five and six, and was seen proceedingat a handgallop near the junction of the Kyber Pass with the Parnell Road. A few minutes afterwards the horse was observed without a rider, and Mr Ritchie was seen on the ground. Examination proved that his neck was broken. Mr Ritchie was fa9t rising to a high position in his profession, was unmarried, and only 26 years of age.

After Te Kooti.—The " New Zealand Herald" learns from Whakatane that William King, Ngaitai and his party, accompanied by Lieutenant Rushton, have started in search of Te Kooti. The party are supplied with rations by Government, but receive no pay. Telegraphic Extension, —Coromandel wants an extension of the wires from Grahamstown, so as to be placed on a fair footing. The " Herald" says there can be no doubt that as far as the likelihood of such a piece of work being remunerative is concerned, a very large amount of employment would be given to such a line. Coromandel is at present making such rapid advances in the face of great difficulties as entitle her to call for as much consideration and help as possible.

Land Transfer Act.—An Otago contemporary in calling attention to the sale of the township of Nevada, points out that as the township is registered under the Land Transfer Act —of itself no inconsiderable advantage, as good titles are obtainable on almost nominal terms, and can be transferred, in need, equally cheaply ; and adds : —" The advantages of this Act are becoming manifestly greater every through its provisions, with benefit both to seller and buyer, some of the best properties in Otago are becoming attainable on moderate terms." t GroiD in Canterbury.—The " Press" says that the existence of gold in Canterbury is a question on which it is perhaps as well to say as little as possible. Notwithstanding this, an old resident in Canterbury, who has just returned from the Thames, and who has great experience in goldmining in New Zealand, has stated that he is about to test the gold-bearing appearance of a certain district (the precise locality being for the time withheld), and so sanguine is he of the result of his undertaking that he announces it as his firm belief that before Christmas he will be enabled to prove conclusively that the precious metal is to bo obtained in paying quantities in this province. Public Works and Immigration.— The Superintendent of Marlborough, in opening the session of the Provincial Council, spoke as follows on the above :—On the subject of the railway, I have from time to time communicated with the G-eneral Government, bringing under their notice its advantages, and I am happy to say that the project has been favorably entertained by them. Sir Charles Clifford also, who lately left for England, has interested himself in it, and has kindly promised mo to use his best endeavors in England to forward its construction, and the marked success which has attended the first financial operations of the Hon. tho Colonial Treasurer leads to the hope that this most desirable undertaking will e - e long be commenced It has been said that the sum of £3500 per mile set apart for it is not sufficient; but narrow gauge inexpensive lines are what are wanted here, rid looking forward as I do to the extension of such lines in various directions supporting each other, and opening up outlying portions of the province for profitable settlement, I do not wish to see this sum exceeded, On the question of immigration, the Colonial Governmeat has been asked to co> operate with us in introducing immigrants upon the system of assisted passages which has hitherto been adopted in the province. Pisciculture.—Tho Otago " Times" says : —A few years ago Mr Clifford liberated some trout in the river running into Boat Harbor. A person who has watched their movements for some time states that they have attained an astonishing growth since then, as well as increased rapidly in number. On calm evenings fine large trout aro to be seen rising after the white moth \fhich is so abundant in that locality.

Colonial Industry. The Hobarton " Mercury" says that on the 2nd instant, a cask containing about four cwt. of shot, manufactured at Mr Moir's Tasinanian Shot Tower, was shipped to Sydney. This is the first order shipped out of the colony, although samples previously shipped to Melbourne and Sydney were spoken of very highly, a firm in the latter city haying intimated their willingness to pay £4 per ton more for Mr Moir's phot than the invoice price of English shot,

Lieut. Woods, says tho Levuka "Times," is about surveying the Nanuka passage, and he has been busy with his staff in choosing a site and fixing the spars for tho lights which are to mark the way into Levuka harbor.

Acclimatisation. Tho Hawaiian " Gazette" says efforts are being,made to reciprocate the generous contributions of the Auckland Society, by forwarding somo of the,rare plants and birds found here. Mr Haugiiton's Last!—ln a recent-de-bate Mr Haughton, speaking of Mr Donald Reid, said : —" As for the honorable member at the head of the Government, he had only one tune to sing, and that was the Old Hundredth !"

A Literary Cociott.—Our evening contemporary flouted tho " Advertiser" the other day by tellmg it that nobody read it. The " Advertiser," with practical irony, is determined that, if no one else reads it, the "Post" shall, at all events, and accordingly attacks him in capital style on two several points. Our morning friend apparently has a new man-at-arms, who handles his weapons with considerable skill. Indeed, he displays such ready dexterity in thrusting at the weak parts of the armadillo covering of his evening contemporary as to lead to the conclusion that he had once worn the armor himself. With cruel delight, in Saturday's issue, he pricks the " Post" very deftly under that part of his anatomy commonly known as the fifth rib. From the well known gallinaceous courage of -the evening journal, wo anticipate for the readers of both that their daily dish of news will be seasoned with more than tho usual piquancy. We are almost inclined to sympathise with the pitiful position of the "Post" in its desponding and regretful looks at former consistency on the one hand, and the openeyed hungry-looking way it sniffs at the provincial flesh-pot on the other. We much think, after all, that tho "Post" ia but a badly bred bantam, that, instead of fighting it out, will in this instance be found to be a " wheeler." With the serenity of a bystander we shall await the result of this pleasant passage of arms. A R/ lway Hint.—A new ' w.'inkle' in tramways has been introduced by Mr Hadden, C.E., for the purpose of traffic across some of the interior regions of Turkey. It is not without interest in relation to communication in this country. It is a Single rail tramway, of which the following is a description ; 'lmagine a bicycle let into a longitudinal aperture in the centre of the bottom of a cart, and the cart nearly touching the ground, so that only about six inches of the wheels would be visible ; next, a kind of balancing polo run through the sides of the cart at right angles to the single rail on which the bicycle is to run. The two ends of the pole are" to project about three feet on either side of the cart, and rest upon end be harnessed to the backs of two mules. The animals will thus be one at each side of the load, instead of being in front in the ordinal/ way. It wor'd bo impossible for the cart to turn over, because, in order to do so, it would force one mule to the ground ond to h'ft the other mto the air ; and, moreover, as its floor would only be six inches above the rail, an overtip would be of no account. All the weight in the cart, if evenly distributed, would bear upon tho rail, and the auiamla. having no load on the backs, would be able to exert considerable traction power'' Mr Hadden does not consider that the utility of his invention will be limited by the piecise conditions that first called for it. He not only suggests its employment for military purposes, but also for tramways in large cities; and he says that, where space is very valuable, a horse or mule on only one side of the cart would be sufficient. In towns, on bridges and other important places, the rail might for a short distance be dispensed with ; and passenger vehicles. should be fitted with small friction wheels on either side, so that if a horse should fall down, the balance of the carriage should remain undisturbed. Wo are not aware whether there is any near prospect of the idea being realised, even in To "key ; but it seems sufficiently ingenious to deserve at least publicity. Wellington Volunteer Aetillery.—A district order annouuees that the Artillery will parade at Pipitea Point on Saturday, at two o'clock, for shell practice and inspection by Lieut-Coiouel Harrington. The battery will assemble at the drill she! at one o'clock, and march from thence to Pipitea. We learn that the Government prize of £9 will be competed for at the same parade. Six shots — three solid and three shell—will be fired from each gun.

Acclimatisation.—The deer in the Bris bane Kanges are thriving well, and multiplying very fast. Their increase in numbers and immunity from harm appear to render them bold, as the settlers in the vicinity complain that they are becoming a nuisance, by breaking into cultivated lands and damaging crops. Potatoes and mangel worzel, appear to be especially acceptable to these animals.

Abson on the Brain. —There is a man in the Massachusetts State prison, just entering upon his imprisonment for life, who belongs to a respectable family, was brought up under good home influences* and is possessed of property to the amount of ten thousand dollars ; bub he had a monomania for arson, and so great was his love of the crime that wherever he went to spend a few days a fire was pretty sure to occur. He once paid a visit to the Isles of Shoals, and during his stay the first fire that ever was known on the island occurred ; during a visit he paid to West Amesbury several buildings were burned ; three large churches were burned in Newburyport ; and stables and barns almost without number. During his career as an incendiary, which covered a period of upwards of ten years, nothing inflammable seemed to escape him. Churches, workshops, dwelling, barns, and smaller out-buildings were alike his prey. He was arraigned under fifteen indictments, tried on two, and found guilty of both,

Earl Belmore, Governor of New' South Wales, says the " New Zealand Herald," accompanied by the Countess Belmore, will shortly visit his Excellency Sir George Bowen, at Auckland. The Caledonian- « Tailings." The "Thames Advertiser" says that 800 tons of taillings from the batteries engaged upon stone from this celebrated mine were recently sold by auction. The first lot consisted of 150 tons crushed at tho company's own battery in Owen street, which was started.at £!., and bought for £4 10s per ton ; lot 2 consisted of 300 tons crushed at tho Herald battery, Beach, which was started at 15s-, and sold for £1 2s Gd per ton ; lot 3 composed 350 tons crushed at the Waiotuhi battery started at 12s, and sold at £2 10s per ton. The total amount realised by tho 800 was £1037 10s. Wandering Weeds.—lt is stated that there are now no less than 214 weeds which have been introduced into the United States from foreign countries, and principally from England. As a proof of the rapidity with which useless plants are accidentally brought over the soas, it is said that in 1837 there were only 137 foreign weeds known in this country. As far back as 1672 a curious little volume called " New England's Rarities" give a list of twenty-two plants which the author considered had sprung up sinco the English settlers had kept cattle in New England. The author mentions the " plaintain," which, he says, the Indians call the " Englishman's foot," as though produced by the tread of the white settlers. The common " yellow toad flax," it is stated, was originally introduced into the province of Pennsylvania as a garden flower by a Mr Ranstcul, a Welshman, residing in Philadelphia, from whom it has derived the name of " Ranstead weed." In 1758 this weed had overrun the pastures in the inhabited part of Pennsylvania, and was the cause of bitter complaints from the agriculturists of that day. Chickweed, it is stated, was introduced in South Carolina as food for canary birds, and in ten years spread for upwards of fifty miles, and now occupies the outposts of civilisation, The " Scotch thistle" is said to have been brought to America by a clergyman who carried with him a bed stuffed with thistle down, in which some seed remained. F-athers, being cheap in the new country, were substituted for the down, which was soon emptied out, and tho seed springing up filled the country with thistles. Another account, says some enthusiastic Scot introduced the thistle as an emblem of his country, which soon made itself at home and became a nui sance.—" Philadelphia Ledger." Tookey's shares are quoted in the " Argus" of the Ist as having been placed at £l9 5s and £l9 2s 6d for double issue ; and closed sellers at £l9, buyers at £lB 10s. The same paper of the 23rd ult. said sales were effecto'd at £ls ss. New South Wales Stamp Act.—A Sydney telegram in the " Argus" says the new stamp act comes into operation on the Ist, and that it imposes a tax of one shilling each on the bank notes of other colonies.

Mr Hall (says a Sydney telegram) has arranged with the post office authorities to despatch mails by the Californian route after this month on every fourth Saturday, from Sydney, and on the same date from London. Raising old Piles.—A good idea comes from America as regards raising broken or useless piles from wharf frontages, jetties, &c. On the Connecticut River a number of piles used for a bridge were broken away by a violent shock of large masses of ice, and it was a question how to remove the stumps, which were us bad as our Murray snags. After many experiments and failures, at last a strong iron tube with a steel point, was rammed clown alongside of each pile and the tube filled with gunpowder. The explosion of the charge half lifted tho piles from tho soil, and their after raising was very easy of accomplishment.

Gold at Motueka.—The- Nelson " Colonist" of the 6th saya : —On Friday the fine nugget noticed by us a short time since, was taken to .Nelson from Salisbury Creek, where it had been found by Davie Brothers, two miners, who have been working for some timein that district. The nugget, about the size and shape of a small egg, is water worn, and interspersed with quartz. Its total weight is 9ozs 18dwts grains. Mr Groom, who took its specific gravity yesterday, fines that it con tains 7ozs 8 dwts 11 grains of pure gold and 2 ounces 9 dwts grains of quartz, and is therefore worth £27 17s 9d. The place where the nugget was found is about 3000 feet above the sea level, and is in a locality from which frequent reports of the prevalence of gold have been received; and reference to which has more than once been made in our Motueka correspondence. Gold Mining at Nelson. The " Examiner" in its summary for home transmission furnishes the following items ;—The success which has attended dredging the rivers in Otago, has induced parties in Nelson to try what can be done with the rivers of this province, and arrangements are making to commence on the Aorere, which we expect also to see followed on the Matakitaki. The prospects of the Perseverance, at Colling wood, have greatly improved within the last few weeks. Nob only is the reef proving far better than was at one time expected, but extensive lodes of lead and zinc, on the same property, have been discovered. The failure of the Culliford mine, at Wangapeka, has boon a sore discouragement to mining prospects in that district, although the specimens procured show clearly that a rich reef exists, if it can only be found.

San Francisco.—A correspondent of the " Argus" writes : The inauguration of a system for establishing regular sales of tea by auction in this city was commenced by one of the largest sales that has yet taken place, buyers being present from Chicago, St Louis, and Oregon, and the prices realised were very good. In early times it cost us more to travel

one or two hundred miles in California than it should have cost to go to the Atlantic states, and it has often been the case that wo co'dd ship merchandise from Liverpool to San Francisco for less than tho actual cost foe transportation of the same quantity of goods 100 or 200 miles on our rivers. A reduction in the price of passage by steamers as well as on railways has lately been made, and will give an impetus to business, which at present is dull. The merchants residing in the Eiji Islands have presented a communication to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, expressing their desire to have the new line of Australian steamers call at one of the group. Specimens of kaurie "gum, coffee, rice, and beche-le-mer accompanied the communication, which was well-received. It is considered probable that a large portion of the trade of these islands will in future be directed to San Francisco.

A Telegraphic Charge.—Speaking of telegraphic communication being established between England and Australia by the end of the year, the " Launceston Examiner says : In a letter received by Mr W. Warren, tho Superintendent of the Tasmanian and Victorian Submarine Telegraph at Georgetown, the writer says :—The, charge on telegrams from England to Australia is not yet decided ; but I think it will be about £9 for a message of twenty words.

Butchering.—An exchange says that the practice of selling beef, mutton, and pork by auction in joints and by the carcase, which for some time past has been adopted in Otago and Canterbury, was introduced into Nelson city a few days ago, and is now becoming general. When half a sheep is sold for less than three shillings, legs of dairy-fed pork at 4d per pound, and beef at the rate of about 3d per pound, no one can complain of dear living there.

Upper Rangititcei Road Board. A special meeting of the ratepayers of the above district, was held in Marton Hall, on Saturday, 3rd June, for the purpose of electing a Board of Wardens, and fixing a rate for the current year, the Board now professing to be such not having been lawfully elected. W. J. Willis, Esq, was called to the chair. There was a large meeting, the largest Road Board meeting ever held in the district. Mr ,Fox having read an opinion of the Attorney-General to the effect that this election was informal, he moved that a new Board of Wardens be elected. Mr Retemeyer seconded the motion. Dr Curl, chairman of elected wardens, handed to the chairman a protest against the present meeting, upon which a long discussion took place. Mr Alex M'Donald urged on the ratepayers the necessity of not coming to any hasty decision. If the meeting should decide to elect a fresh Board, as moved by Mr Fox, the ratepayers might find that instead of their money being spent in making roads, it would enrich the lawyers. The ratepayers on the question that a new Board be elected, with the following results : —Fox 97, against, 57. Mr M'Harlie moved that Messrs Willis, Row, Henderson, Ross, Harris, and Hammond should be elected as a board of wardens. It was moved as an amendment, that Dr Curl, Messrs Sn ell grove, Hanneke, Maunder, Galpin, and Kilgour be elected. On a division, the original motion was found to be carried by a large majority. A rate of 3d per acre was carried, and amid a somewhat disorderly amount of discussion the meeting broke up. Speaking of the meeting, a correspondent of tho " Wanganui Chronicle" says :—'lt is to be feared that it will prove a very expensive meeting to tho district, as the wardens elected in February have acted in perfect good faith, and taken legal advice on the matter, advice which is contrary to that given by the Attor-ney-General. No doubt therefore there will be some 'itigation before the matter is disposed, of',' Tie " Chronicle" says : —'lt is more than likely that the legislation of the Provincial Council may settle tho question by knocking both the past and present Boards [in the head, and making provision for the appointment of a Board so divested of local prejudices and predilections, as to be able to come to the discussion of such a question as has led to tho fiasco, in an impartial and practical spirit.'

MARAVILLA COCOA.—No breakfast table is complete without this delicious beverage.—The "Globe" says:—"Various importers and manufacturers have attempted to attain a reputation for their prepared Cocoas, but we doubt whether any thorough success lias been achieved until Messrs Taylor Brothers discovered the extraordinary qualities of ' Maravilla' Cocoa. Adapting their perfect system of preparation to this finest of all species of the Theobroma, they have produced an article which superseded every other Cocoa in the market. Entire solubility, a delicate aroma, and a rare concentration of the purest elements of nutrition, distinguish the Maravilla Cocoa above all others. For homoeopaths aud invalids we could not recommend a more agreeable or valuable beverage." Sold in packets only by all Grocers, of whom also may ' be had Taylor Brothers' Original Homoeopathic Cocoa and Soluble Chocolate. Steam Mills—Brick Lane, London. Export Chicory Mills, Bruge?, Belgium, Advt.

Where the digestive powers v are so weak as to cause imperfect Assimilation, and in many cases laying the foundation for Counsumption and Wasting, the use of Savory & Moores's Pancreatic Emulsion and Pancreatine, already so highly approved by the Medical faculty, will be found among the most potent remedial agents ; they effect the digestion of Cod Liver Oil and prevent nausea, while they efficiently supply the place o fthe oil when the stomach rejects it. These facts are attested by the published records of medical men, extracts from which accompany each bottle, price from 2s to 21a. Savory & Moore, 143, New Bond Street, London, and all Chemists. Note—Savory & Moore's name and trade mark on each bottle. April 22,1871. [s2w,