News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 29, 12 August 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

The Boyal Assent. —His Excellency the Governor has given his assent to “ The Wellington Beclaimed Act, 1871,” passed in the recent session of the Provincial Council. Calls to the Legislative Council.—-His Excellency the Governor has summoned He Benzie James Brett, Esq., of Christchurch, in the province of Canterbury ; George Buckley, Esq., of Waikakahi, in the Province of Canterbury ; James Farmer, Esq., of Auckland, in the Province of Auckland ; and William Barnard Bhodes, Esq., of Wellington, in the Province of Wellington ; to the Legislative Council of New Zealand. Benevolent Society.—The treasurer of the Benevolent Society acknowledges the receipt of £lO 10s from the Governor, as a subscription to the funds of the society.

Hon. Mr Farmer. —We learn from a reliable source that this fortunate gentleman has sold out of all his mining interests at the Thames for £170,000. Duties under the, Native Lands Act.— It is notified in a Gazette issued on Saturday last, that duties payable under the Native Lands jAcls now owing by persons in the Provinces of Auckland, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay, must be paid to the Colonial Treasurer forthwith. All persons neglecting to pay the same after 30th September, 1871, will be liable to pay a penalty or sum equal to three times the duty payable under the said Acts, and are informed that after the above-mentioned date, the penalties will be enforced. Volunteer Promotions. —The following promotions are notified in the General Government Gazette : —Lieutenant William Udy to bo Captain in tlie Grey town Volunteers ; Ensign William Saywell to be Lieutenant in the same corps ; Archibald Skipper to be Ensign in the same corps ; commissions to date from 3rd June. Ensign Henry Bowater to be Lieutenant in the Wellington Veteran Volunteers, commission to date from 19th June, 1871. Bev. Mr Ewald. —A number of gentlemen accompanied the Bov. W. 11. Ewald on board the Nebraska on Sunday to wish that gentleman a p’easant voyage. Mr Ewald must, indeed, take away with him many pleasant recollections of liis sojourn in New Zealand. We have not heard whether it is Mr Ewald’s intention to return to the colony, but we shall be glad if, after the additional experiences of home life, Mr Ewald should make up his mind to again visit the colony. Mormons. —A female and three children left in the Nebraska on Sunday to join Brigham Young’s gang of polygamists. It is to be hoped her account of the many-wifed humbugs of Salt Lake will be sufficiently encouraging to induce the remainder of the faithful elect to leave our shores for ever. An Eighteen Mile Match.—Pentecost has made a match in Christchurch to run 18 miles in two hours on the 15th inst.

Presentation. —Mr Batchelor has presented to the Colonial Museum the specimens of silk and cocoons which he brought, over from Nelson, and has also left with Dr Hector a quantity of eggs of silk worms, which are to be distributed among our settlers. The Quartz Crushing Machine.—Mr B. J. Duncan offered this machine for sale by auction on Saturday, and, after some very slow bidding, it was knocked down to Mr Dransfield for £290.

The Governor’s Speech.—We understand that the address in reply to the Governor’s speech is likely to be moved in the Legislative Council by the Hon. Colonel Brett, Canterbury, and probably be seconded by an Auckland member. In the House of Bepresentatives wo understand Mr Pearce, member for Wellington, will propose and Mr Eichardson, member for Christchurch, will second the address in reply. Election Petition. — The solicitors for the petitioners against the return of Mr Brandon, member for the Wellington Country District, and Messrs Pearce and Hunter, members for the City have advised those gentlemen respectively that no further steps will be taken in the matter, and the petitions dropped. New Speaker.—lt is reported that the Hon. F. D. Bell is likely to be proposed for the Speakership, and that Mr O’Borke, member for Onehunga, will be proposed as Chairman of Committees.

Meeting at the Hutt. —A meeting of the electors of the Hutt was held at the Mechanics’ Institute, Lower Hutt, on Wednesday evening, to take into consideration the District Highways Act of last session, but in consequence of the fresh in the river, the attendance was not large. Mr G. Allen being called to the chair, Mr Ludlatn addressed the meeting, commenting on the various clauses of the act, the other members for the Hutt in tho Provincial Council briefly followed. It was subsequently moved and seconded that the meeting do adjourn until Monday, the 14th inst., but as the room is engaged on that evening, notices have been posted for the meeting to take place on the following Monday, viz, the 21st inst, at 7 o’clock p.tn. ; and in accordance with the resolution, his Honor Wm. Fitzherberfc is invited to attend as member for the district in the General Assembly. The Never Despair. —A trial on a small scale of some stone from this claim was made yesterday at Mr Mills’ foundry. The weight of the stone crushed was nine pounds and a half, and after being carefully panned off, gave what was considered by those present to be a very satisfactory prospect. Flax Company.—The shareholders in the Masterton Flax Company are notified that the first call of £1 per share is due. The secretary, Mr Rikys, requests the amount to be paid in to the Union Bank of Australia on or before the 15th instant, as it is the intention of the directors to commence operations immediately.

Palmerston. —A meeting of settlers was called at Cole’s Palmerston Hotel to see what action should be taken in reference to the recent Highways Act, 1871, passed at the last sitting of the Provincial Council. A gentleman present was very bitter upon the Government presuming to tax country settlers at all, in which he was supported by several present, and the following resolution was passed “ That the Highways Act is hurtful to this district, inasmuch as it interferes with the settlement of land by the working classes on the deferred payment system, and that while agreeing with the necessity for a direct tax, the mode of taxing laid down in this Act is unjust. That an acreage rate would be preferable, and that the districts defined in this act would be found more workable if made very much smaller.” A committee was also appointed to ask the co-opera-tion of the Eoxton and Marton settlers. The Education Act was also discussed, and a similar expression of opinion was the result. A requisition is being numerously signed to get another post town name for Palmerston. Soiree. —A Soiree in aid of the building fund of the Sydney street Chapel, will be given in the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Monday, the 28th instant. The Bev. W. J. Dean ia using his best exertions to ensure the success of the meeting, and from the energy displayed on all occasions of the kind by the members of the congregation the soiree may be looked forward to as one of the most successful of its kind given in Wellington. One of our most able chefs, Mr Donnecker, will cater for the occasion, and as a guarantee of the excellence of tlie musical portion of the entertainment, we may mention that several members of the Choral Society have promised to assist. Beadings and addresses will be given, and from the low price charged a crowded attendance will no Gloubt reward the efforts of the promoters. ‘The Wellington Artillery Volunteers. —The annual meeting of the Artillery volunteers took place on Tuesday evening, at the lower room of the Empire Hotel, Captain Pearce presiding. The first business brought forward was the Treasurer’s balance sheet, which showed the battery to be in a very healthy condition. Tlie receipts for twelve months amounted to £290 15s 6d, while the expenditure represented a sum of £2BO 7s lid, thus leaving a balance of £lO 7s 7d. On the motion of Captain Pearce, the balance-sheet was adopted. After this the meeting proceeded to the election of a committee for the next year, which was done by ballot, when Second Lieut. Pilcher, Sergeant-Major Lyon, Bandmaster Marshall, Sergeants Sample and Brogan, Gunners Fox aud M'Tavisli, receiving the largest number of votes, were duly elected. Gunner Eox was then unanimously elected Secretary and Treasurer, Gunner M'Tavisb, who has acted in that capacity for the past year, signifying liis intention of not accepting it again. A vote of thanks to the late Secretary and Treasurer completed the business.

Pahautanui Chapel.—A meeting was held last Saturday in connection with the above, Mr J. Payton in the chair. The Treasurer, Mr Stace, presented the accounts of the last live years, which were audited and found correct, —the receipts amounting to £27 7s 8d ; expenses £22 13s 3d, leaving a balance in hand of £ll4s sd. It was resolved that for the future a similar meeting should be held annually. This chapel was built fourteen years ago on an acre of land given for that purpose by Mr Stace, and by the wish of the original subscribers it is open to Protestant Ministers of all denominations. We would like to see tlie spirit which animated the Pahautanui settlers fourteen years ago now induce them to add to the comfort and convenience of this edifice by lining it within and painting it without. The internal fittings might with advantage be improved. Sitting on forms without backs is a method of penance of which the present degenerate age disapproves. In other respects, tlie building and the ground attached to it have been maintained in good order, and have been of considerable benefit to the neighborhood. Lecture. —The second lecture was delivered on Monday evening at the Presbyterian school room by liis Honor the Superintendent. Aa might have been expected, the subject was handled with the lecturer’s well known ability® but its efieet was, to a great extent, marred by the imperfect manner in which it reached a considerable portion of the audience—those seated at the back hearing very imperfectly. We would suggest that it would be better in future to give the lectures in tlie church, as was done last year. The school-room was incoveniently crowded last evening, and altogether the able lecture of Mr Eitzherbert did not receive the attention it deserved. At its conclusion a vote of thanks was proposed by the Bev Mr Paterson, who made some appropriate remarks upon the subject selected by the lecturer, and intimated that the next lecture would be given by the Yen Archdeacon Stock on Monday evening next, the subject being “Tlie Antiquity of Man.” The Steel Sand. —The new furnace and the steel sand will soon be tested fully. The powder is now nearly all removed from the barracks, and when that is completed operations will bo commenced. The Maori Prisoners. —The remaining live of the prisoners convicted at the last treason trials were shipped on Monday in the Wellington for Dunedin. Karanama and the other old fellow who it was thought in the Court at the time of the trial would not survive many days seemed to be in good health yesterday. A course of rigid dis* cipline such as they will receive in the Dunedin gaol will not fail to make these most dangerous fellows remember the enormity of their offence and teach them to he on their good behaviour when next they gain their freedom. From the appearance of the men the regimen of gaol diet dispensed to them by Mr Bead seems to have worked a beneficial change on their constitutions,

Entertainment.—St. Paul’s schoolroom was crowded on Tuesday evening, notwithstanding the uncomfortable state of the weather, the object for which the concerts are being given imposing upon the parishioners a duty which even the discouraging effects of a drizzling rain did not form a sufficient excuse for disregarding. As stated in our report of the parish meeting, the school funds have for some time past been in a languishing condition, so much so, at any rate, as to necessitate a very forcible reminder in the report of the treasurer of the parish. The entertainment of last evening was a most enjoyable one, though the schoolroom is hardly roomy enough for the purposes of a meeting of the kind. Without wishing to criticise any part of the programme, there are certain compositions in music which, if attempted at all, should be done with as much care and attention at these semi-public concerts as at a fully public one, and of such a class is the lovely little duet “ I’ve Wandered in Dreams,” in which there was a want of acquaintance with the piece which made those who knew it wish it had not been attempted. But we will not further detract from Mr Mowbray’s laudable indefatigability, because after all the correct rendering of these things with him would be only a matter of time. There were many delightful little harmonies during the evening in the shape of choruses, and not by any means the least creditable of these was the National Anthem at the termination of the evening.

Pahautanui Library.—The local Penny Reading Committee have recently added to the benefits which they Have previously conferred on this district by organising a small circulating library. The committee have already procured a sufficient quantity of books for all immediate wants, and they are to be congratulated on having brought into operation an institution which will be of permanent benefit to the neighborhood.

The Price oe Law.—We learn from our Otago files that a bankrupt estate hasthere been at last wound up. It appears that the proceeds realised were £597, and the legal expenses £513, leaving the handsome sum of £Bl to be divided among the creditors. Happy individuals ! Retiring Councillors. —ln accordance with the Act, three members of the City Council retire by rotation in September next. The retiring members are Messrs Mills, Carpenter, and Quin, and, taking time by the forelock, some of the ratepayers have already requested one or more of these gentlemen to stand for re-election. A matter that will, no doubt, be rectified among others the first time the act comes before the General Assembly for the makingofmanyamendments lately suggested is this : Clause 41 provides that members shall retire on the second Thursday in September, while clause 78 provides that the incoming members shall be elected on the same day, so that in reality the new members are elected before the old ones have vacated their seats. As it is well to be off with the old love before wo .get on with the now, it would be desirable that the retiring members should resign a few days in advance, but clause 47 would prohibit them from offering themselves for re-election within a period of six months from the date of their resignation. The difficulty is imaginary, but the clauses mentioned give the proceedings an anomalous form.

Port Nicholson Mining Investment Company (Limited). —This company held its fourth half-yearly general meeting on Monday evening. The chairman of the company took his seat at half-past seven, and after the minutes of thelast meeting had been confirmed, the secretary read the directors’ report for the half-year ended on the 30th June. From this we gathered that the company paid in dividends during the half year 30 per cent on the paid-up capital, and carried forward a sum nearly equal to 5 per cent more, besides providing a reserve fund of £l5O. The working expenses were about £3O. The company holds shares in nine companies carrying on business at the Thames, some of them amongst the best and most promising on that goldfield. The report was unanimously adopted, the proposal to invest the reserve fund, instead of letting it file idle, being especially well received. Considerable discussion arose on the request of the Board that the meeting would express an opinion as to the advisability of again commencing the monthly calls. Ultimately, a resolution was carried to the effect that the directors should resume them if they saw good opportunities for investment. Captain Sharp was unanimously re-elected a director, and Dr Johnston was elected in place of Capt. Johnson, who has retired. Mr Stuart was elected auditor for the ensuing year. Honoraria were voted to him and to the secretary for past services, and after the usual complimentary votes to the directors and chairman, the meeting broke up, the numerous shareholders who attended apparently well pleased with the success of the company’s operations. A Long Search.—l he “Hawke’s Bay Telegraph” reminds us that during the last session the Hon. Mr Stafford caused considerable amusement by comparing some member of the House to an Ornithorhyncus parodoxus —a beast with a bill. Morally certain that this witticism was beyond the capacity of the ex-Proinier, and quite assured that it was an old friend, we have been diligently seeking for it for the last six months. Our patience has been rewarded. In an old volume of the “ Man in the Moon,” a comic periodical conducted by Albert Smith and Angus B. Beach, we have discovered the following :—“ Fossil conundrum. Why is the Ornithorhyncus paradoxus (See “Penny Cyclopoodiu,” Vol 17, for you will never understand what it is without) like a tailor ? Because it is a beast with a bill (which everybody will understand at •nee).”

Orangeism.—Ten thousand persons attended the Orange special services at the Sydney Exhibititon Building on July 17th. Dr. Barry preached on the occasion.

The Weather.—The first fall of snow this winter in the Wairarapa district occurred on Thursday night. His Excellency’s Reply.—The following is Sir George Bowen’s reply to the address presented to him by His Worship the Mayor, J. Dransfield, Esq, on the occasion of the landing of Sir George and Lady Bowen on Thursday :—“ To the Mayor and Councillors of tlio City of Wellington—Mr Mayor and Gentlemen —I receive with sincere pleasure this address which you have presented to me, as it wore, on the threshold of your fair city, and surrounded by a great concourse of your fellowcitizens, whom you so worthily represent. On behalf of Lady Bowen and myself, I thank you warmly for the kind welcome and hearty greeting which you have accorded to us, on our return to the seat of the General Government. The handsome and commodious house which has just been completed here for the residence of the Governor, by the liberality of the Colonial Legislature, will, among other advantages and inconveniences, enable me to extend more widely than it has hitherto been possible at Wellington, those hospitalities which I rejoice to offer in a colony where my family and I have received so much courtesy and respect. lam very glad that Wellington, like the other chief cities of New Zealand, has been incorporated as a Municipality ; for it has invariably been held by the highest political authorities that this system of local self-government has been one of the main elements of our national greatness, and of the stability of the British Constitution. In conclusion, I assure you once more that my wife and I fully reciprocat e the good feeling shown by your address, and cordially desire success for your Corporation, and happiness and prosperity for the people of Wellington. (Signed) G. F. Bowen. Wellington, 3rd August. Mantiiell Again!—Alfred George Manthell, broker, has been brought before the Sydney police court, charged with stealing 10 cases starch, valued at £ll, the property of John Hughes. After hearing evidence, the prisoner reserved his defence, and was committed to take his trial at the next sittings of the Quarter Sessions. Bail allowed, himself in £BO, and two sureties in £4O each. Death oe a Maori Prisoner —Rura Anarua Te One Rura, thirty years of age, died in the hospital at Dunedin on the 31st ult., at half-past one o’clock, of consumption. He was under a sentence of years’ penal servitude for high treason, and was considered one of the leading and most influential men of his tribe in the late rebellion. He was a Roman Catholic, and belonged to the Ngatarunui hapu in the Wanganui district. He has two brothers and two uncles prisoners in the gaol. He was married, and liis wife is at present residing in Wanganui.

A Fleeting Popularity.—Our Dunedin telegram reports that Mr Bathgate, who was returned at the head of the poll as M.H.R. for that city is already asked to resign !

Hew Caledonia.—Hews from Hew Caledonia to June 21 states :—The Government are causing the interior of the country to be more thoroughly examined and explored. The “ Moniteur” of the 14th describes a visit to the Caves of Tchalabell, and to the auriferous slopes of Manghine. A letter from the Colonial Secretary, M. H. Trastour, dated the Bth June, complains (incidentally) that many of the new arrivals from Australia are addicted to drink. The strength of the naval station at Honmea is to be reduced by orce half—from 30,000 f to Io.OOOf. These reductions are made ‘ on account of the exigencies of the situation.’ The proposal of the Governor to introduce municipal institutions into Hew Caledonia has been sanctioned by the home authorities. Literary Mems.—Government Official Gazettes appear to realise a good profit. The accounts of the “ Loudon Gazette” for the past year show the receipt of £25,976 from advertisements and the sale of the paper, and the total expenditure being only £5,283, there remained a profit of £20,693. The receipts of the “ Edinburgh Gazette” were £3607, and the profits £2154. The receipts of the “ Dublin Gazette” were £1219, and the profits £773. The profits of the three amounted together to £23,620, an increase of £2316 over the preceding year. The profits are paid into the Exchequer.—The talented authoress of “John Halifax, Gentleman,” has entered into arrangements with Messrs Sampson, Low and Co, to edit a series of works suitable for gilds, each volume to be illustrated, and the series to be published at a uniform price of 4s per vol. The first of the series will be entitled “ Little Sunshine’s Holiday, a Picture from Life,” and will be from the same pen that wrote “ John Halifax, Gentleman.” It is stated that Professor Jowett intends to publish a 1 volume supplementary to his translation of Plato, in which he will discuss at length the question of the genuineness of the Platonic Dialogues, and other points that he was unable to treat of within the narrow limits of his recent work. A new monthly review, entitled the “ Taxpayer,” devoted to subjects connected with imperial and local taxation and expenditure is announced in London.

A Religico-Politico Society.—A large meeting of the Catholic laity of Sydney was recently held, when it was decided to form a political association. The Vicar-General was present, and has denounced the movement* Hotice was also given in the Catholic churches that the clergy opposed the proposed society. TELEGRAPHY. —One great drawback in telegraphic communication throughout the colonies is the want of a uniform method of transmitting messages. This evil it is sought to remedy, and the Postmaster-General ofVictoria, Mr Duffy, has placed himself in communication with Ministers in other colonics, so that Morse’s code for telegraphing messages might be universally adopted throughout the colonies. If this attempt be successful, the task of operators will be rendered much easier, and the convenience of the public .will be increased.

Mutual Provident Society.—At the halfyearly meeting of the Australian Mutual Provident General Assurance Company held in Sydney, a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, was declared. Dr Nathan was elected a director.

The Port Darwin Telegraph.—lt is stated that the Adelaide Government have promised Mr Patterson a bonus of £1,500 if the line of telegraph to Port Darwin is finished by the end of year. Mr M‘Minn, who was overseer of the first telegraph party at Port Darwin, and who cancelled the contract and returned to Adelaide, has finally declined to go with the new telegraph party under Mr Patterson.

Slavery.—Captain Longmuir, of the Challenge, has been committed for trial at Sydney on two charges of slavery in the South Seas. The new Governor oe Queensland The Marquis of Normanby, the new Governor of Queensland, has had an extremely rough welcome to Australia so far as regards weather, the Lincolnshire—which entered the Heads early on Sunday morning—having had to cast anchor in the South Channel and remain there for nearly two days. At one time it seemed very likely that the ship would have been wrecked, as she broke away from one of her anchors, and dragged on the other for several miles, until she came to within a quarter of a mile of the sandbank off Schnapper Point, where she brought up. The weather, however, moderated yesterday morning, and the Lincolnshire, was towed up in tolerable good water by the steam-tug Resolute. The agents of the vessel, Messrs W. P. White and Co., also despatched the steam-tug Mystery to meet her, and Lieut. Rothwell, his Excellency Viscount Canterbury’s aidc-de-cauip, went down to see the Marquis of Normanby, with the invitation for Him to Toorak House. The mayor of Melbourne, with Councillor Gatehouse and Mr Eitzgibbon, also went in the Mystery to welcome the marquis to Victoria, and after the tug had gone some nine or ten miles down the bay it met the Lincolnshire, and transferred them, together with Lieutenant Rothwell and some other persons on board. Welcomes were then offered to his Excellency, and after he landed lie proceeded to Toorak House with the Marchioness and Lord Hervey Phipps, his son, in Viscount Canterbury’s private carriage, which had been at the railway pier waiting for him. The noble marquis appeared in the best health, and is stated to have enjoyed the passage well.—“ Argus.” A Valuable Nugget.—A nugget weighing sixty-two ounces has been found at Wood’s flat, Victoria. Presbyterian College, Sydney.- The Council of the Presbyterian College, Sydney, have negatived a motion to send home for a principal. An amendment to confer the appointment on Dr Lang was also lost. The Suez Mail.—The Suez July mail,, with the telegrams up to July 10 or 11, and detailed advices to June 16, was due at Melbourne on August 3. The New Zealand portion will be brought on by the Claud Hamilton, advertised to leave Melbourne for Hokitika on August 3. The telegrams may be looked for on Wednesday. Gigantic Hammer.—T'be new hammer in the Bessemer Steel works, at Harrisburg, Pa., weighs 35,000 lb. Sheepstealing. A wholesale ease of sheepstealing to occur so near Melbourne is thus mentioned in the “Police Gazette: Samuel Ritchie, manager of the Melbourne Meat Preserving Company, reports stolen from Tea Tree Creek, near Maribyrnong, between the 7th and 11th inst, 722 sheep, various brands.

Bather Red-Tapey.—To show what we may come to in the course of a short time, we give the following extract from a letter dated at Hobart Town, 12th July, 1871 We duly received yours of the sth instant, with posters for the (a large and popular vessel, now daily expected), upon which we had to pay duty at the rate of 4s per cubic foot. 1 ’ The parcel contained 25 posters and 25 dietary scales, and would measure about six cubic* inches. Before the one could be displayed on the walls, and the other banded to intending passengers, a series of entries bad to be passed at the Custom House, and 2s duty paid. Paying the Way por Telegraphs — A step that will prove a great boon to those who live in localities where there are post offices, but no telegraph offices, will be taken by Mr Duffy as Postmaster-General. It is his in tention to provide that any persons living at a distance from a telegraph station may post their message in an envelope to the postmaster at the nearest town where there is a telegraph station. A shilling stamp placed upon the envelope containing the message will not only carry the letter to the postmaster at the telegraph station, but will also cover the cost of the transmission of the message, providing that there are not more than ten words in the message sent.

A Valuable Cake.—A very fine cake of retorted gold was exhibited in the window of Mr Brush, jeweller, Melbourne, on July 22. It is the product of 560 loads of quartz from the Horth Garden Gully Company, Sandhurst, and weighs 17940 z. It is stated that this is the largest cake ever produced by any company in Sandhurst in a single crushing. Queensland Diamonds.—A diamond of very pure, water was found the other day by a shepherd on the Manumbar run, Burnett district, Queensland. The “Brisbane Courier” states: ‘ Mr C. O’D. H. Aplin, late geological surveyor for Southern Queensland, showed us the gem. We do not profess to be connoisseurs in the matter of precious stones, but the oue in question is sufficiently remarkable to attract the attention of any one who saw it. It only weighs two grains. It is a perfect octahedron, with curved faces, and is remarkably bright and sparkling. Mr Aplin, like the lapidary to whom it was submitted in Sydney, has no doubt whatever as to its being a true diamond. Its value is between £2 and £3.’

A Sucking Politician.—A correspondent of the “ Evening Star,” Dunedin, thus writes of J. B. Bradshaw, Esq., M.H.R., now Provincial Treasurer of Otago : —“ The mention of the Provincial Treasurer’s name reminds me that I have recently discovered that gentleman to have been the hero of one of the most thrilling adventures which ever fell to the lot of man. It augurs well for the hon„ gentleman’s modesty that the story is so little known, as it would unquestionably be sufficient to make any man the pet lion of the London salons. My authority, Mr Donald Mactavish, for many years a resident at the Cape of Good Hope, informs me that inhabitants there are much annoyed by the ravages of the Blue-nosed Baboon. Many years ago, when the honorable James Ben was an infant, some six months old, and all unconscious of future greatness, a number of these animals made an attack on the parental cornfields. They were warmly received, and among other losses.an unlucky gunshot robbed a gigantic lady'oaboon of her offspring. The infuriated animal rushed to the verandah where the little James lay snugly in his cradle, and, to the horror of all present, seized and made off with the future Treasurer of Otago. The pursuit was instant and incessant; but, alas ! utterly unsuccessful. For months the infant was mourned as lost, when wandering Boschesmen brought in strange stories of a female baboon having been suckling a white infant. At first these stories were received with ridicule ; but they were so strongly confirmed that a search party was organised and sent out. After innumerable adventures, they traced the blue noses to their den. There a strange spectacle made them pause for a momornent. The female baboon was seated with the infant in her arms, while a gigantic male gambolled about, apparently to the intense delight of the little innocent, who shows his delight by screams of “Dada da.” A shout, a rush, and the infant was rescued from its beastly foster parents, with whom it had sojourned over three months. It was in excellent health, and could howl a la baboon to perfection. Altogether it was a most singular instance of the close connecting link between (some) men and the monkey tribe, and, as such, is worthy of the attention of Mr Darwin. I leave to others to work out the psychological inferences.

Scientific Notes.—Mr Gerard, metallurgical chemist, of Wolverhampton, is experimenting with some success in the manufacture of iron by processes of his own invention. He has succeeded in producing from the ore refined iron of a high order of excellence at a much less cost than that produced by ordinary methods. The absence of animal life at great depths in the sea has usually been attributed, by Edward Forbes and others, to the absence of light. Dr Carpenter, in a recent lecture at the Royal Institution, stated that he considered it was due, especially in the Mediterranean, to the permanent suspension of fine mud, which would probably clog the gills or other respiratory membranes of the deep-sea fauna. —The Rev Professor Summers is carrying on an investigation of the Eastern Himalayan dialects, and is discovering testimonies of connection between them and the Chinese which have not been before detected. America and New Zealand.—The San Francisco mail service, if it had served no other end, would have conferred great benefits on the colony by the attention it has caused to be drawn throughout the United States to New Zealand and. its productions, Mr S, M. Southwork, in the “ South Caroli* nian,” describes the valuable qualities possessed by phormium tenax, and recommends its cultivation in the Southern States of America. The article was copied into the “ Scientific American,” and quoted by Californian and other papers. Amongst other qualities enumerated by the writer, he says :—“ The stalks are very light and pithy, and are used by the natives to make their canoes more buoyant, by binding bundles along the sides. These stalks, split or chopped fine, if used in stuffing the furniture of vessels and steamers, would make each piece a life-buoy.” He also states that he has seen ropes made from it aboard several American vessels, and the captains expressed a very high opinion of it, and wished to see it introduced into the United States. Captain Friend, of the barquentine Adele, of San Francisco, had informed him that he had some canvass made from it, which he had obtained in Melbourne.

Provincialism at a Low Ebb.— Hoticing our late election, the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald” of the 4th says : —At the election for a seat in the Wellington Provincial Council, the result of which was announced in our telegraphic intelligence yesterday, both candidates were of the same trade, and that not a very common one —iron-founders. Are wo justified in concluding that candidature for a seat in the provincial legislature has become, as far as the Empire City is concerned, a matter of mere trade rivalry ? The Death op Mr Scriyener at Christ church. —The motion in the Canterbury Pro* vincial Council naving reference to providing a proper ward, with attendance, for persons committed by the Resident Magistrate suffer* ing under delirium tremens, was withdrawn on the undertaking of the Government that they would take steps to carry into effect the recommendations contained in the verdict of the jury at the late inquest at the gaol. The Pope.—The “ Pall Mall Gazette” reports that the Pope is very ill with a fresh attaik of gout, which is defined by his physicians as ascending paralysis. The Sacred College has held a secret meeting to consider the crisis, and has decided in case of the Pope’s death to remove to Malta. An Emigration Company —The Hon. Colonel Fielding has sent proposals to the Adelaide Government on behalf of an English emigration company, for a grant of 250,000 acres of land in the Horthern Territory, on the condition of his placing upon the land 6,000 settlers.

The Kaikoura Moa Egg. —At a meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, Mr J. D. Enys read the following paper on the moa egg found at the Kaikouras : “Having seen in the * Wellington Independ enTof July 8,1871, that, at a reoent meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society, Dr Hector stated that the moa egg found at the Kaikoura Peninsula, and bought for the trustees of the British Museum from Mr Pyle, was found in alluvial soil, when digging a well, and not in connection with any human remains, I have put on paper the few notes which I shall now read. Dr Hector makes this statement on the authority of Mr charm, who nfflrms that Mr Fyfe had given him information to that effect. As I was the authority from whom Dr Haast obtained the information as given in an appendix to his paper on ‘ Moas and Moa Hunters I beg to state that, being on a visit to the Kaikouras at the latter end of 1861, I was shown by Mr Fyfe the moa egg, together with a human skull and a black stone adze, which he kept in a box together, as having been found together when digging the foundation for a store close to his house. Mr Fyfe observed at the same time that he had only''preserved the skull of the skeleton with which the egg was found, and that the Maoris had no traditions whatever of a burial place iu that locality, although one of their pahs is situated about a mile from the •pot. Concerning the rumor which was pub' lished in the ‘ Lyttelton Times,’- when the egg waß sent home, that the skeleton in question was found in a sitting posture, I have no recollection of Mr Fyfe mentioning the subject to me. I bad some trouble in persuading Mr Fyfe to separate the esg from the heavy stone implement, fearing that the egg would be damaged by it. He would not separate the skull as he did not wish to disassociate the things which were found together. Since writing these notes, X have asked. Mr John Janes, who was living at a station in the neighborhood at the time, the egg was found, if he remembered the circumstances under which it was discovered. He entirely confirms the correctness of the account I have given, and adds that the egg wa3 found, as far as he remembers, in the early part of the year 1860 or end of 1859/’ An Interesting Event.— ADuvauclielle a Bay correspondent, writing on August 1, informs the “ Lyttelton Times” that Mrs Hunt, of the French farm, Akaroa, gave birth to three daughters on July 31. He adds that the mother and babies are doing well. The Customs Revenue oe Auckland. — The revenue collected at the port of Auckland from the Ist to the 31st July, inclusive, amounted to £13,132 6s 3d. The amount raised at the Thames from the same source for the same month amounted to £1,395 2s The “ Illustrated New Zealand Herald.” —The number just issued is an excellent one. It contains a number of well- , xecuted and interesting engravings, among -which will be found the Armed Constabulary of New Zealand on the war path, the steamer Nebraska, some capital views of San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, &c, a full page illustration of the wreck of the Queen of the Thames, a sensational one showing H.M.S, Basilisk in a squall, and several others equally good. A Cow with a Crumpled Horn.—One dav last week Mrs Edwards > tlie wife of a farmer at Riverside, North Taieri, Otago, was bringing in the cattle, when one of the cows rushed her and tossed her up in the air three or four times. She was very much bruised about the head and chest, and one of her arms was fractured immediately below the shoulder ioint. Dr M'Brearty, of West Taieri, was called, and was quickly in attendance. He reduced the fracture of the arm, and she is now progressing favorably. Te Kooti Protected by the King Natives. —A correspondent of the “ New Zealand Herald” says news has arrived in Auckland that Te Kooti has left his hiding place at Ruatahuna, and, at the bidding of the King’s executive in Wakiato, is making the best ot his way to* that district, where he is to be sheltered and protected from the persecutions and threats of the Government. Captains Preece and Mair, with all their forces, are off for the purpose of intercepting him. Alas ! I am afraid their expeditions will be, like all others futile ; and what is more, at this inclement season of the year, attended with great oe San Francisco.— A correspondent writes as follows to a friend in Canterbury “ The town is very dusty and sandy, much worse than any in Canterbury. There are several magnificent buildings. Most of the streets are paved with wooden blocks or plankin". Cars and coaches run down the principal streets on rails drawn by horses. These vehicles are very comfortable to ride in. The ornamental trees one sees are beautifully trimmed in various fantastic shapes. Altogether, the town is somewhat naked of trees, except the main stroets, and they appear too narrow, owing no doubt to the height to which the buildings are carried up. Many of the pavements are broad, and covered with asphalte The climate resembles Canterbury. Trade is stated to be dull. The folks here are a lot of sharpers, nearly aP tarred with the same brush. One of our passengers has just missed her purse—stolen. It contained five tickets for England, as well as all her cash. Notices are posted in all our rooms announcing that if we have valuables we are to give them up to the clerk for safety, as they—the hotel keepers—will not otherwise be answerable for them. Staying at the Occidental is like staying at a fairy palace, everything first-class, at 14s a day, besides pickings. The Census.—The most noticeable part ot the census yet published is the remarkable increase in the female population that has taken place in the colony between 1867 and 1871. Females have increased to the extent of 22 45 per rent while the male population has only increased 13 85 per cent.

Railway Plant.—Sixteen railway trucks passed through from Lyttelton on the 3rd laden with rails for the North line. Contagious Diseases. The following paragraph is from the “ Telegraph” : —A novel method of stamping out contagious diseases has just been tried in England, which is both simple and effectual, would supersede the use of ordinary prophylactics, and is so curious that the public would never guess it. Neither carbolic acid nor the doctor has anything to do with the remedy, which is not nasty, though it may require a certain amount of moral courage to employ it. And, strangely enough, the only medium of communication to the disinfected world is—the newspaper. To explain the riddle, an advertisement is all the machinery that is employed. The head of the family in which, say, the scarlet fever prevails, makes an announcement in the local paper of the fact, and undertakes to say through the some channel when his medical attendant has certified that all clanger of infection has passed by. No one ever visits him. Tf isolation is all that is wanted, what more effectual plan of securing it could be adopted ? It is not everybody who would cave to declare his house plague-stricken, but who would be more deserving of public gratitude than the householder who has the courage to make the sacrifice P The experiment seems to have been first tried at Great Malvern, and no doubt it will have the weight that any experiment coming from such a fashionable source merits. Rebellion at Fiji.—A rebellion of whites has already occurred in Fiji. The new Government —of which Mr Burt, late of Sydney, auctioneer, is Premier —had barely announced, under the authority of “ Cakobau Rex,” that they had assumed office, when a meeting of dissatisfied settlers was held in the reading room at Levuka to hoist the standard of rebellion. A committee previously appointed then reported, and the following resolutions were arrived at: —“That Messrs Rogalsky, Smith, L’Estage, and Manton bo appointed to draw up a protest against the proceedings taken on Monday by four Europeans taking upon themselves the government of these islands, and having the same registered.” “We are of opinion that it is absolutely necessary we should have some form ot government, and acknowledge that an amalgamation of both natives and whites is desirable. But, at the same time, we do not acknowledge the nominations made by Cakobau, and will not recognise the same.” It is evident that fresh difficulties are brewing in Fiji. The best remedy for the troubles of the island would be the British protectorate.

The Chinese. —The “ Otago Daily Times” of Friday says : —The 315 Chinese by the ship Jean Sands were brought to town yesterday afternoon by the three o’clock trip of the Golden Age. A barrier was erected about half-way down the jetty. Tbis]kopt the curious crowd back, and allowed the Chinamen room to open up their swags so that they could be inspected by the Custom House officers, whose duty, with 300 “Johns” shaking the filthy dust out of their portables, was, even on the jetty, most unpleasant. All the Chinese were struggling for their swags as they were thrown up from the steamer, over their heads, and caught in their upraised hands. They jostled oneanother, gesticulating wildey as they quarralled over their luggage. An old doctor, “ with nails which were taper,” who wore enormous spectacles* and sported a long pigtail, was the only one who preserved anything like staidness. There were a good many boys and lads among them. It took more than an hour before the jetty was clear of them. During that time they by degrees left it, and disposed themselves among the congenial narrow rights-of-way and back slums of Stafford street.

Accidents in Canterbury.—A melancholy accident occurred in the river Selvvyn last week. The heavy rain of Saturday aud Sunday had swollen the stream to such an extent as to render it most dangerous to cross, but notwithstanding this, Rudge, the driver of the Doyleston and Burnham coach, essayed to get over on his way to tlie latter place. Unfortunately, when in mid-stream the cunent proved too strong, the coach was washed down stream turning over repeatedly in its course, and the ultimate result was that the driver and his conductor, a boy, whose name we have not been able to ascertain, were drowned. The Rev. J. Campbell of the High School, who was the only passenger hud a most providential escape. Happily, after a very hard struggle, he reached the shore in safety. The horses also managed to get clear of the coach, and clamber up the river bank. The bodies of Rudge, the driver of the coach, and the boy have been found. The body of Rudge had been washed about a mile down stream, whilst that of the boy was discovered fixed in the wheel of the coach. The bodies have been removed to await the Coroner’s inquest. Another sad accident occurred in Lyttelton, and which resulted in the instantaneous death of one of the railway employes, named Dugald M'Cormick. It appears that the unfortunate man was employed in shunting trucks on the line, a situation which he has filled since the opening of the railway. About 7.30 iu the morning he was at his usual work, aud was bringing a truck from the outside line of rails to the goods shed. When near to the latter place, the horse drawing the truck bolted, and the unfortunate man, either in trying to check the horse, or unhook the chain, slipped or stumbled on the rail, and before he could recover himself the truck was on and had passed over him lengthwise, crushing him in a frightful manner, the truck being thrown off the line. Death must have been almost instantaneous. The sad affair has cast a gloom over tlie port. The deceased was a very steady man, aud most highly inspected. He leaves a wife and three young children to mourn his loss. Flags were hoisted half mast high during tlie day.

The Thames Coal Trade.—The want of coal and blasting powder has for the last few days been very much felt at the Thames, and has brought some of the principal mines to a standstill. On many of the claims it has been utterly impossible to proceed with the work of blasting, while several of the machines have been stopped for want of the necessary supply of fuel. Yesterday, twenty-five barrels of blasting powder were despatched by the Royal Alfred.° This will be a timely supply, and will no doubt be very welcome, until a further supply is obtained. We understand that eleven vessels are now on their way to the Thames from the coal mines. The bad weather and the difficulty of landing their cargoes at the Thames, kept many of these vessels bound in the gulf, but they at length got away together, and will probably return in a body with a very large supply of coal. This will be very welcome to the various machine owneis, and to the public generally. A Queen’s Plate. —In the Canterbury Provincial Council, a rather lengthy discussion ensued upon a motion of Mr L. Walker’s, respecting the voting of £IOO towards the Metropolitan race meeting. The discusfion was a relief to the debates of the past week or two, one honorable aud gallant member threatening dire things should the vote be rejected. He intimated his intention of voting as a member of the Jockey Club, that the Metropolitan should be run over a course 200 miles from Christchurch, so as to be revenged on an ungrateful country who refused to part with even a tithe of the enormous profits made by it on the railway. Another hon. member opposed the grant on the ground that horse racing was demoralising. After an animated discussion of some three quarters of an hour, the House went to a division, and the supporters of the “noble sport” carried their point by twentytwo votes to ten.

Auckland Gold Export.—The gold exported this month ha 9 been fully beyond previous ones, viz., 44,097 ozs, of the value of £161,463, having paid duty, £4948 ss. Cow-pox.—Cow-pox of a mild typo is at present prevalent amongst children in the Tokomairiro district. A Long Train. —The iron and ties of the Central Pacific Road alone, if loaded on cars, would make a train 52 miles long, and would require 750 locomotives to draw the mighty load.

Native Lands Court at TaurangaAn Auckland paper of July 2 says the Lands Court, presided over by Commissioner Clarke, was to open on that day, and, if no interruption occurred there was every reason to hope that all the lands in the immediate district would be individualised, so that immediate settlement may follow. With peaceable prospects, we sincerely hope that this bright field of enterprise may no longer remain in its rude uncultivated state, but be dotted with happy and industrious homesteads. —There is a little disquietude just now amongst the natives engaged in the great Taupo road to- Rotorua ; it is simply a question of title to land, and any obstruction to the road party will be overruled by Mr Commissioner Clarke, whose influence with the disputants is all-powerful. We have had a continuation of westerly gales for the last ten days. The weather this morning is more moderate.

Female University Education. The «• Otago Daily Times” notices that a memorial to the Council of the Otago University is in course of signature by ladies, praying that they may be allowed to participate in the privileges afforded by the University. We are sure that their request will be echoed by far the greater portion of the community, of whichever sex, and that they will have the support of ail who have the cause of the education of women at heart. We hope soon to hear that the request of the memorialists has been granted by the Council, and that ladies will shortly be able to avail themselves of the invitation given them by Professor Sale on the opening of the University. The Suez Mail. —The Tararna, hourly expected at the Bluff, will in all probability bring the Suez mail or the telegrams. She was due on Saturday. In the event of that vessel having sailed before the arrival of the news at Melbourne, it will be brought, along with the mails, by the Claud Hamilton, which vessel is due at Hokitika on Tuesday next. Tlie latest telegraphic dates from England will be to the 11th July, or eighteen days later than those brought by the Nebraska. Ball to the Goveknor at Auckland.— Previous to the departure of his Excellency a ball was given at the Music Hall, Symonds street, by a number of gentlemen, as a mark of respect to Lady Bowen, previous to her departure for the South with his Excellency the Governor. The following gentlemen acted as stewards :—Sir George Arney, Chief Justice ; T. B. Gillies, Esq., Superintendent ; Hon. C. J. Taylor; Hon. Dr. Pollen ; Dr. Campbell; and W. Swainson, F. Whitaker, James Farmer, D. L. Murdock, Reader Wood, T. Russell, G. B. Owen, J. M. Dargaville, A. Wardrop, Esquires ; B. J. Daveny, Esq., Hon. Secretary. Over 400 guests were present. Dancing commenced at 9 o’clock ; the Artillery Band officiating in the orchestra. The supper was served in the most reherche style by Mr Robert Hale, of Parnell. The usual toasts were drank, including the Q.ueen, his Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen. His Excellency responded in most appropriate terms. The ball was kept up in a spirited manner till an early hour. Scott Centenary.—Scott’s centenary will be celebrated at Napier by Caledonian games, with an entertainment in the evening at which the songs and readings are to be taken from the works of the great author. The “ Herald” complains that these arrangements, as well as the composition of the Committee appointed to carry them out, “ give too exclusively Scotch a tone to festivities intended to do honour to so cosmopolitan a genius as Sir Walter Scott.”

Population oe Yictoria. —Approximate returns of the population of Yictoria, as compiled from the enumerators’ summaries, have been published. From them we learn that the inhabitants of that colony now number 729,654, of whom 400,252 are males and 329,402 are females. The aborigines have been reduced to only 859, of whom 516 are males. The Chinese are 17,813, of whom oniy 43 are women. The white population is 710,982, the males exceeding the females by 52,950, notwithstanding the long persisted in attempt to equalise the sexes. In May, 1836, the total number of the white inhabitants was 177 ; in 1838 it was 3,511; in 1841 it was 11,738 ;in 1851 it was 44,345 ; in 1854 it was 236.738; and in 1557 it was 410,766. Iu the last ten years the total increase was 189,332. Bourke (which includes Melbourne) is the most populous of the counties, having 236,514 people. Grant stands next, with 73,949 ; while Follett has only 1,255. One newly-named county, Weeah, which forms part of the old Wimmera district, does not : as yet possess either house or inhabitant. The two Ballarats have between them 40,651 people; Sandhurst (which desires to be proclaimed a city) has 21,952 ; Melbourne proper, 55,798; Collingwood East, 18,550; Fitzroy, 15,558; Richmond, 16,116; Prahran, 14,084; St. Kilda, 9,076 ; Hotham, 13,502 ; and Emerald Hill, 17,121.

The Explorer Leichhardt. —The following extract from a private letter, written at a camp on the Woodforde, latitude 22‘28, and dated April 30, by a member of one of the Port Darwin telegraph construction parties, will, says the “S. A. Advertiser,” “ be of interest, now that the fate of the long-lost explorer Leichhardt is again occupying public attention in these colonies : —‘ At the northeast end of Lake Eyre there is a very large creek coming from the north, named the Jarvis, after its discoverer, and Tireawa by the natives. Well, on this creek, a long way to the north, eight white men were killed by the natives a great many years ago. They were cutting their way through dense jungle and scrub from the east to the north bank of the creek, when the natives, who had followed them for days, watching for an opportunity, fell upon them and killed them all. Now, as this must have happened very close to the place where M‘Kin lay found traces of Leichhardt, is it not probable that these unfortunates must have been members of his party ? There is also another thing winch seems to cofirm this supposition. At the time Sir R. M'Donald was in the North, an old grey horse with a Government brand, and hoofs of great length, turned and growing upwards, was found to the south of the junction of this same creek with Lake Eyre. Now as this horse did not belong to the South Australian Government, and Leichhardt had horses so branded, it is very likely that it belonged to him. Tliis is old news in tlie north-west to some, but I doubt whether the fact of white men having been killed on this creek has ever been known to you. Jarvis, who told me of it, heard it from a native now at the Peake, who said he was on the creek, quite a boy, when the murders took place. He cannot fix the time, but says it was a long time ago.’

Boat Match- with the Americans. — A London correspondent of a Yorkshire paper says : —I believe it is quite true that Cambridge intends to challenge Harvard University, and that, in the event of the challenge' being accepted, Mr Goldie, the triumphant stroke, will choose a four, and go to America to row the race. M Alt A VILLA 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 has been achieved until Messrs Taylor Brothers discovered the extraordinary qualifies of ‘ Maravilla’ Coeoa. 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 delicato aroma, and a rare concentration of the purest elements of nutrition, distinguish the Maravilla Cocoa above all others. For homoeopaths and 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, Bruges, Belgium, Advt. Where the digestive powers 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 ftlie oil when the stomach rejects it. These facts ai’e attested by the published records of medical men, extracts from which accompany each bottle, price from 2s to 21s. Savory & Moore, 143, Hew Bond Street, London, and all Chemists. Note —Savory & Moore’s name and trade mark on each bottle. April 22, 1871. 52w.

Berkley, Sept. 1869. —Gentlemen, I feel it a duty I owe to you to express my gratitude for the great benefit I have derived by taking ‘ Norton’s Camomile Pills.’ I applied to your agents, Mr Bell Berkley, for the above named Pills, for wind in the stomach, for which I suffered excruciating pain for a length of time, having tried every remedy persci’ibed, but without deriving any benefit at all. After taking two bottles of your valuable pills I was quite restored to my usual state of health. Please give this publicity for the benefit of those who may thus be afflicted.”—l am, Sir, yours truly, Henry Allpass. —To the proprietors of Norton’s Camomile Pills.

Shakespeare’s Acting.—The “Athenseum” says Mr Halliwell has had the good fortune to discover evidence that Shakespeare acted on two occasions before Queen Elizabeth in the year 1594, in company with Kemp and Burbage, all described as “servants to the Lord Chamberlain.” Critical students of the biography of Shakespeare will at once appreciate the significance of these interesting facts. The poet was then in his thirty-first year. No record of his performances as an actor at so early a period has yet been produced, but the circumstance of his then being a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s company is of still greater interest. We now know, what hitherto has merely a conjecture, that the great dramatist belonged to that body before the Globe Theatre was opened, and when the company were performing at Newington the old play of “ Hamlet” the predecessor of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Lucky Number. —The number twentyseven seems to be a fortunate one for the German armies. On the 27th of September Strasbourg capitulated. On the 27th of October Metz surrendered. On the 27th of November the Prussians achieved important victories over the Army of the Loire and the Garibaldian forces in the Department of the Vosges. On the 27th of December commenced the bombardment of Fort Avron, the first of the Parisian forts assailed, and which soon yielded to the enemy. And now comes the intelligence that on the 27th of January the terms of the capitulation of Paris were agreed upon. Chinese Physicians.—The physicians of China, by feeling the arms of a sick man in three places—to observe the slowness, the increase, or the quickness of the pulse—can judge of the cause, the nature, the danger, and the duration of his disorder. Without their patient’s speaking, they reveal infallibly what part is affected. They are at once physicians and apothecaries, composing the remedies they prescribe. They are paid when they have completed a cure; but they receive nothing when their remedies do not take effect. European physicians, it must be confessed, are by no means so skilful as the Chinese ; but in one thing they have the advantage over them, which is in taking their fees before they have performed the cure. Thus, unlearned physicians ride in their chariots in London, while learned ones go on foot in Pekin.

Sea Bathing in the City of London.— Arrangements are being made to carry sea water into London, so that sea baths may be enjoyed at all times of the year, without enduring the inconvenience of a journey from home. The water will be carried up on tanks on the railways at rates so moderate that the hitherto expensive luxury may be enjoyed by nearly all. Uncleanness of body and corruption of morals always go together. The Fijis as a Place to Live In.—A correspondent contributes the following to the Melbourne “ Leader —“ Great difference of opinion exists amongst returned Fijians as to the eligibility of the islands as a place of residence. One gentleman assured me that it was a terrestrial paradise, although he admitted that it was rather rough, on the liver. A more despondent individual suggested that if I wanted to realise the life of a planter under the regime of King Thakombau, I should take up a residence area on the Murray Flats, grow pumpkins and live upon them. The manners of the natives must form an interesting study to amateur ethnologists. A friend of mine had two laborers, whom, for want of better names, were dubbed Tommy and Jemmy. Tommy was missed for some time, and at last Jemmy was asked what had become of his friend. The amiable savage grinned from ear to ear, but vouchsafed no reply. The question was repeated. Jemmy could keep quiet no longer; and, pointing to an abdomen of aldermanic proportions, he burst out— f Him here ; me eat him.’ Pleasant truly to have a cannibal for a cook. My informant did not seem at all sure that some portion of poor Tommy, disguised of course by native culinary art, had not been served up in his midday meal.” The Southerners. —A New York correspondent describes the Southern States as being in a “frightful condition.” In the two Carolinas,‘Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas there are rebel organisations which set the law at defiance, and imperil the property of loyal citizens. The Ku-Klux band alone is said to number 40,000 men, armed and thoroughly organised, and nothing is done to repress their lawlessness. According to the Democratic press, the accounts published of outrages in the South are merely creations of Republican fancy; but the correspondent asserts that the evidence is too overwhelming to be thus explained away. Literary Notes. —Lord Dalling, it is confidently expected, will complete in September the “ Biography and Letters of Lord Palmerston, which he commenced as Sir Henry Bulwer. Miss Broughton, the authoress of “ Red as a Rose is She,” is expected to commence a new serial story in an early number of “ Temple Bar,” under the title of “ Good Bye Sweetheart.” Mr Hotten announces a Becocd edition of “ The Rosierucians,” by Mr Hargrave Jennings. This extraordinary work gives the only complete history on the abstruse subject of the brethren of the “ Red Cross,” that has ever been published in English. 2,000 copies of the first edition were disposed of, and 600 were ordered from America. The Arctic Expedition. —An American Arctic expedition, under Captain C. F. Hall, who explored Frobisher Bay in 1862, and subsequently spent five years (1864 69) in the neighborhood of Repulse Bay, south of Melville Peninsula, and in re-searching the scene of the wreck of Franklin’s expedition, is being fitted out, to sail this month, under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution of Washington. Captain Hall will be accompanied by Dr Emil Bessels, also a practical arctic voyager, known through bis interesting observations made in 1869 in the seas between Spitzbergen and N-ovaia Zemlia,

Just Before the Hanging.—The “Binghampton (New York) Leader” announces that Rutloff, the murderer, is engaged to write exclusively for it until he is hanged. A contemporary that don’t like the “ Leader’s” politics, wants to know if some of the other writers on that paper are engaged upon the same conditions.

Obituary.—Our Timaru contemporary of August 5 has the following:—Our readers will learn with extreme regret that Mr Paterson, of Temuka, died on Thursday night last. The deceased gentleman was a very old colonist, having come out to Nelson between thirty and forty years ago, and th#re for some years followed farming pursuits. About the year 1860 he settled at Temuka, and about the same time he took up a run in the Mackenzie country. Some two or three years after establishing himself at Temuka, Mr Paterson received the appointment of Sheep Inspector for the southern district of Canterbury—an appointment which few men were better fitted for. As an inspector, we can safely say that Mr Paterson gave universal satisfaction; and there cannot be a question that, owing to the thoroughly efficient way this somewhat onerous and delicate duty was performed, the entire absence of scab in the southern district is due. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for many weeks past, and bis death was not unexpected. As a public servant his loss will be much felt; as a private gentleman be will be universally regretted, A Lutheran Church.—The foundation stone of a new German Evangelical Lutheran Church has been laid in Adelaide by the Rev. J. Hensel. The Ring—Marital & Sporting Charms. —The “ Telegraph” says An extraordinary episode agitates Collins street, the title of which might very well be the “ Ring and the Book.” It concerns a young lady well known on the block, and is now open “ town talk but it is so singular that even wonder loving Melbourne people, when it was first stated, would hardly give it credence. Great as may be the regret, however, and deep the sympathy with the friends, the facts of the case are beyond denial. They cannot be circumstantially narrated ; but they are too public to be altogether overlooked. The lady is a relative living with one of our merchant princes, and has been accustomed to visit the Flemington Racecourse, in addition to other places of fashionable resort. There she is presumed to have become enamoured with a well-known member of the betting-ring, while the latter was engaged in “chaff” and “laying the odds” of his profession. Rumors of semipublic marks of the preference having been shown are now rife. On Thursday last a closely-veiled lady alighted at the door of the house in which the gentleman in question—he may be called B —resided with his brother, and asked if Mr So-and-So were in. B opened the door himself, but not knowing who the visitor was, requested to be told which of the male members of the family (as there were three) she required. “ You are the one I want,” replied the lady in timid voice, “ will you step outside?” This done, she raised her veil, and displayed the features of la dame aux courses . She told her tale of love, vowed she would never be separated from the object of her affection, and begged him to find her a home, as she had quitted the splendours of the Softgoodian mansion never to return, and all for his sake. Here was a pretty dilemma. He expostulated, and she implored. As a dernier resort , B conducted the lady to his brother’s house, putting her for the nonce under the care of his sister-in-law. To the credit of the family, it must be said that they counselled the lady to return home, and forget what they supposed to be a fleeting whim. She was obdurate, refused to go and continued a guest in the house. The lady did not repent, however, and on Saturday they were man and wffe with all the ceremonies of the church. The young lady’s natural guardians had sought her in vain, and were, it is believed, much astonished when B’s brother on Sunday broke the extradinary intelligence to them. Flippancy. —Any lady who speaks slightingly of ministers of religion is not a lady. Referring to the Purchase decision which pronounces the white dress to be the only legitimate garb of the clergy, a misguided young person said that she should henceforth always call the parsons the surplice population. Coal Formation. —According to the calculation of Professor Huxley, it took 240,000 years for the formation of the eoal in the earth ; and he says that is but a fragment of geological time. How old must the world be at that rate ? One Good Turn Deserves Another.— The “New York Tribune” relates that two members of a vigilance committee in Missouri recently assisted at the extra-judicial strangulation of a couple of horse-thieves. While upon their return to their beloved homes, the vigilants were encountered by a couple of friends of the deceased, who hanged them. The charm of this kind of judicial journey work is that there is no end of it. The healthy hanging is going on all the time.

Prevention op Rust. —lron immersed for a few minutes-in a solution of carbonate of potash or soda will not rust for years, though exposed continually in a damp atmosphere. It was believed long ago by soap and alkali merchants that the caustic alkalies (soda and potash) protected iron and steel from rust, but that the components of these salts preserved the same property as they do in a caustic state now.

The Share Mania. —A man at Cleveland, Ohio, fell asleep in a church a Sunday or two ago, and awoke just as the minister began to read in a loud voice the lesson of Scripture which begins, “ Surely their is a vein for the silver and a place of gold where they find it.” Jumping to his feet in great excitement, the merchant stretched his arm and shook his book at the astonished minister, exclaiming, “ I’ll take 500 shares!”

Export op Gold prom New Zealand.— From a comparison of a useful set of tables contained in last Saturday’s General Government Gazette we ascertain that the amount of gold exported from the various ports of New Zealand during the quarter ending 30th June, 1871, was—l74,9ooozs, valued at £675,717. The highest yields given are—Auckland, 65,2160z5, value £236,981; Otago, 47,6670z5, value £188,268 ; Westland, 33,3110z5, value £133,244. The total yield of the whole colony, from Ist April, 1857, to June 30,1871, reaches the i extraordinary amount of 5,897,909 ozs, valued at £22,918,177! A comparative return of the amounts exported from the various provinces for the half-yearo ending June, 1870, and June, 1871, gives the money value as £1,099,333 for the former, and £1,352J598 tor the latter. These returns show interesting and highly satisfactory results, for they prove that the yield increases with the extended workings, and that the pursuit of mining is strengthening into a settled industry. The workings are being rapidly extended to districts where hitherto no form of employment has been carried on, and large amounts of money are being invested with as much freedom in this as in those other businesses which have hitherto been considered as the only legitimate channels for investment. Ropata’b Expedition.—The “Hawke’s Bay Herald” says Ropata and Captain Porter arrived in Napier from Poverty Bay by the s.s. Napier. We learn that the men, during the late expedition, suffered very severely from cold, their limbs, in some cases, being so swollen as to render them incapable of travelling. There have been one or two instances also of freezing to death. About the 20th ult. two men left the camp in search of food; while at some distance from home they disagreed and took different tracks, and one of them has not been heard of since. In another ease a man, who likewise had been out searching for food, was found, after four days, stark and stiff, reclining on the fork of a tree. Efforts were made to revive him, but in vain. Apiata, one of the prisoners recently captured, has been with Te Kooti ever since his escape from the Chatham Islands. Ropata, on hearing of the report that he had joined Te Kooti, remarked that the man who invented it and the editor who inserted it should be placed in confinement together as lunatics.

Street Railways.—New Orleans is a city peculiarly well adapted for street railways on account of the level character of the ground on which it is situated. Not satisfied, however, with having their cars efficiently worked by a single mule, the various proprietors are constantly experimenting to secure cheaper motive power. Dummy engines, steel, rubber, and spiral springs, heated air, &c., have been tried, and at present they are experimenting with a small engine using gas of ammonia condensed by pressure into a liquid form.

Marriage with Deceased Wife’s Sister. Speaking at a meeting in London in favor of leagalising marriage with a deceased wife’s sister, Dr Alder, chief rabbi of the Jewish Church, said he was convinced such unions were not prohibited by the law of God, adding, “ I know that for three thousand years such marriages have been contracted among my own people, except in those countries where they are prohibited by the law of the land; and I have.learned from my own experience that such alliances have proved happy.”

Synod oe Otago on Education. —At its recent meeting, the Synod appointed a committee to watch the steps taken in the matter of public education, and to aid by petitions and otherwise in obtaining a colonial system of education in opposition to the denominational plan. The Synod desires to see that the bible is read daily in every school at a specified time, but that the children whose parents or guardians may object, are not to be required to attend during that time. It is understood that the Presbyterian Church throughout the colony will petition the General Assembly to this effect, both from its Presbyteries and congregations. McDonald’s Confession. The following is the confession handed in by M‘Donald : --I was in the Caledonian Hotel on Sunday the 16th July last; I saw Henry Elliott coming into the hotel about 11.30. I saw him with some kerosene in his hand, it was in a bottle. He said he was going to do it. He took his knife and ripped the bags under the paper, poured the kerosene in and set fire to it. He then ran out of the house, and they all found him in bed at Mr Watt’s house. Immediately on the room going on fire, I ran into my room and gave Frazer the alarm. We all got out with the exception of a man that was lodging in the hotel. I saw the remains of some’ one next morning amongst the ruins while in company with Mr Owen. When I heard the kitchen door opened, I left my room with a candle in my hand. On entering the kitchen I met Henry Elliott. Roderick Manion was in my employment for about three weeks. He always slept with Elliott, at Mr Watt’s house. On Saturday, 15th July last, he slept in the hotel, and on Sunday, the 16th July, lie slept in the same room with the deceased, watching that no one would come down stairs. The house was £I,OOO in debt, and I told Henry Elliott my circumstances : Mrs Allison £SOO, my brother £3OO, Messrs Taylor and Watt £2OO, more or less. He (Elliott) told me that he would lay me on a plan that I would get me out of it. I asked him what, I asked him what, he said to insure the stock aud furniture, and then do away with it. I asked him if he it. He said, * Yes’. He said then that itf would be better to build on our own leased land, and that would clear a lot of debts, and rise funds to put stock on the land for us. I had no ready cash. Signed—J. M'Kenzie M'Donald.

A Kerosene Company. —The property of the New South Wales Hartley Kerosene Company has been sold by auction, and realised £19,000. The company will now wind up.