News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 31, 26 August 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

Assessment on Sheep. —Flock owners are reminded that the assessment on the May Returns for 1871 is due and payable to the several Inspectors during the present month. Newspaper • Postage. Among the notices of motion proposed in the House of Representatives yesterday, there is one by Mr Murray to this effect:—That, in the opinion of this House, there should be no interprovincial postage charged upon newspapers ; owners of newspapers to supply one copy of each issue to such public reading-rooms and athenaeums as the Government shall direct. Wellington Railways. —We understand that one of the members of a Dunedin firm is now in Wellington with full power to treat for the construction of our projected railways. Government House. —His Excellency the Governor directs it to be made known, for general information, that he will receive all persons who may wish to see him, on Tuesdays and Thursdays in every week, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. At the same time, his Excellency desires that it may be clearly understood that public officers, gentlemen from the country, or any other persons wishing to communicate with him on urgent business, will be received on any day or at any hour that he may happen to be at home.

Promotions. —The following promotions are announced Hugh Morrow to be Lieutenant in the Wanganui Veteran Volunteers; commission to date from 12th January, 1871. John Willoughby Marshall to be Captain, and James Richardson to be Ensign in the Marton Rifle Volunteers; commissions to date from 3rd June, 1871. Palmerston North. —For the convenience of the residents in the neighborhood of this township the post office has been proclaimed to be a money order and savings bank. Appointments. —Richard John Gill, Esq., has been appointed Chief Clerk and Accountant in the Native Office. Charles Yelverton O’Connor, Esq. has been appointed a District Engineer under “ The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870.” Land Transper Act. —The appreciation of the beneficial operation of this act is testified to by the appearance in the “ General Government Gazette ” of a great number of announcements from all parts of the colony of transactions being made under the provisions of the act. The Conpiscated Lands. —By the existing regulations, issued under an order in Council in May last, for the regulation of the sale and disposal of the confiscated lands of the colony, those in the Province of Auckland were exempted from their operation. A “Gazette” issued on Saturday declares that the Province of Auckland shall be included within the scope of the regulations from the Ist September next. Militia. —By a proclamation in a General Government “ Gazette ” issued on Saturday, it is notified that the third class militia of the several districts mentioned below have been released from duty under the existing Militia Act: —Rangitikei, Wellington, Greytown, Masterton, South Napier, North Napier, and Wairoa (Hawke’s Bay). Ferns. —We have received from Mr George D. Oallen a number of specimens of ferns which he has collected in different parts of the colony, and which he has very carefully preserved and catalogued according to botanical nomenclature. Two dozen of the sheets may be sent by book post, and for eighteenpence, to any part of the United Kingdom ; and we are sure that it only requires an inspection of the specimens to ensure their purchase, either for personal possession or for transmission to friends.

Supreme Court, Nelson. —The case of MTntosh’s Trustees v. the Bank of New Zealand came before a special jury on Monday week. The action was brought to upset a deed of assignment made by MTntosh to the Bank of. New Zealand. After a day and a half spent in hearing the evidence for plaintiffs, and in arguments _ thereon (the defendant’s case not being gone into), the jury, by the direction of the Judge, found for defendants on all the issues, with leave reserved to plaintiffs to move to enter a verdict for them it the Court should be of opinion that the bill of sale relied on by defendants did not operate to pass after acquired property. Telegraphs in the North Island. — We beg to correct a mistake in our report of the Hon Mr Gisborne’s remarks in reply to Mr Creighton’s question about Telegraph extension in the North Island. Since the present Government took office they have extended the telegraph in the North Island 326 miles. Death of a Sister of Charity.— We regret to learn that Sister Mary St. Stanislaus, a Sister of Charity, who had recently gone from Wellington to Nelson for the benefit of her health, died at St. Mary’s convent on Thursday last. Her funeral was to take place on Sunday.

Reports op Parliamentary Debates. On Thursday, in the Legislative Council, the Hon Dr Buchanan gave notice of a motion proposing that arrangements should be made for the daily publication, in one or more of the daily newspapers, of a condensed report of debates in Parliament. Private Bills. —The question as to what is or is not a private bill has already been raised several times during the present session of the Assembly, and steps are at present being taken for the construction of a joint committee of both Houses, to deal with the standing orders on the subject. We notice by the Melbourne papers that the standing orders of the Victorian Assembly are likely to undergo some very favorable revision. The Chief Secretary purposes at.an early day to move that private bills, before being brought before the Assembly, be subjected to the examination of a board somewhat analogous to the Board of Trade—money bills to be referred to such gentlemen as the Under Treasurer, one of the Audit Commissioners, and the Comptroller of Customs ; railway and bills of an engineering character to be subjected to the scrutiny of a board, composed of Messrs Higinbotliam, Hodgkinson, and Wardill. If all private bills pass successfully through an investigation by such boards their course through Parliament would be comparatively smooth; and if they were defective in principle, the Parliament would be saved all trouble of dealing with them.

The Luna. —Sixteen of the Armed Constabulary left on Tuesday in the Luna to occupy a post at Wairoa iu Hawkes’ Bay. Accident. —Avery narrow escape from an accident of a very serious nature occurred on the Karori Road on Saturday last. A horse and cart belonging to Mr Cook, through approaching too near the edge of the “ heights,” being precipitated over the side of the road. Mr Cook embraced a favorable opportunity of “ vacating the chair,” leaving the horse and trap to perform a series of revolutions down the hill. The only damage done was to the trap, the man and horse escaping with trifling injury. Trout Ova. —We notice by the Christchurch papers that the trout ova in the boxes at the Acclimatisation Grounds have commenced to hatch out, and the young fish are to all appearance strong and healthy. The Metropolitan Baths. —A new institution in Willis Street —Barry’s Metropolitan Baths —is of a sufficiently exceptional description, by the excellence of its arrangements, to entitle it to some special notice. A large building in that street has, at considerable expense, and with much taste, been converted into one of the most commodious and elegantly fitted bathing establishments and hair-dressing saloons to be found in the colony. There are bath rooms, as well as dressing and waiting rooms, both for gentlemen and for ladies, and great care has been taken to secure perfect privacy, aud to make each apartment as comfortable as possible. The appliances connected with the baths are also most perfect of their kind, a large boiler serving the double purpose of pumping up the water and heating it by the application of steam. The steam-pump, manufactured by Mr Seager, is itself a curiosity among the otherwise commendablr features of an establishment which is as yet too rare in New Zealand towns.

The Thames Goldfield. — Great complaints reach us from time to time about these goldfields, for which we cannot find space. A correspondent, well known in Wellington, writes by last mail a very characteristic letter, the mildest sentences of which we make room for :—“ The Superintendent very unpopular ; many of the works stopped ; the roads impassable for want of necessary repairs ; the Government spending all the goldfields revenue in and about Auckland, and thoroughly neglecting the Thames; the Goldfields Secretary marching about Auckland in front of the road engine, in a cloud of smoke, at the rapid pace of two miles per hour, followed by an immense crowd of boys and old women ; coals cannot be landed at the Thames for want of wharf accommodation; many of the crushing batteries stopped in consequence. The progress of the Upper Tararu has been entirely stopped for six months, for want of a road ; not even a track made, though the claims have been proved to be very rich. Several deputations have waited on the Superintendent, who says that he can do nothing without the consent of his Executive (the Busby affair to wit, and the road engine). Continued downpour of rain ; the Thames a sea of mud ; drays full of golden quartz bogged, mud over the axles ; the roads, which cost large sums of money to form, are being thoroughly broken up and destroyed. The Government will only give a paltry £SOO to make the whole of the goldfieds roads ; great dissatisfaction at the Superintendent’s obstruction policy, and the misappropriation of the goldfields revenue ; any change would be welcome to the present system ; people hoping the General Government will step in and take charge.”

Beet-root Sugar. —We notice that the proposal of the Victorian Government to pay a bonus of £5,000 to the successful planters of the beet root sugar manufacture has already had some effect. A directory is in course of formation for a company to be called the Victorian Beetroot Sugar Company. Dunedin Cattle Market.— Dunedin rejoices in the possession of a new cattle market, situated at the head of Maelaggan street. The yards were constructed at a cost of £523. The adoption of this site for so busy a place as a cattle market is likely to infuse some additional vigour into the town of Mornington. A New Weapon. —Among the colonial affairs of importance which have occupied Mr Vogel’s mind during his visit to England, that of colonial defence was not overlooked. We have long been in want of a suitable weapon for this country, as any one who has trailed the long Enfield through the bush knows to his cost, and a very perfect little weapon has been brought out to New Zealand. It is a Snider carbine, manufactured by Mr Blakemore, a light handy tool, fitted with a sword-bayonet calculated to answer the purpose of a tomahawk. It is accompanied by a neat apparatus of a syphon pattern for cleaning the barrel and allowing not a drop of the water used to touch the mechanism of the breech. With it Mr Vogel also brought out a new pattern of breech-loading revolver, carry* ing a large ball, bat very light, the stock being at an angle which fits well to the hand—an advantage not possessed by the Dean and Adams, with which our force is now supplied. We understand, also, that the subject of the defence of harbors was not omitted, and that various high authorities were consulted on the matter. The Improved .Price of Wool.The following calculation is made by the “Otago Times” as to the effect in that province of the improved price of woolNearly all last season’s clip from this province would be offered for sale, in June, and would benefit by the rise, which must amount to about 3d per lb. above the February rates. According to a late Customs return, the quantity of wool exported from Otago for the year ending 30th June, 1871, was 12,928,0071b5, valued at £523,243. A rise of 3d per lb. on this quantity means therefore that woolgrowers here, through the competition of French and American buyers, are richer by £161,600 than they would have been had their wool been sold at the February sales. It would be impossible to enumerate the benefits which will accrue to the community if the price of wool is now maintained. Not only will confidence iu station property as an investment be restored, but the value of freehold property in the country and in Dunedin will be enhanced. It may be fairly said that a material rise in this description of produce is one of those winds which blows every one good. Bishop Hadfield’s Lecture. On Monday evening the fourth of the series of lectures was delivered in the Presbyterian Church, Willis street, by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Wellington. The chair was taken by the Hon. Major Richardson, and the proceedings were opened by prayer by the Venerable Archdeacon Stock. The subject of the lecture was “ Conscience—what it is, and what it is not.” There was a large audience, including members of . both houses of Assembly, ministers of religion, and leading citizens. The lecture was a most interesting one, and was listened to throughout with marked attention and with evident appreciation. As a whole, the lecture was one of the best of the course, and it is to be hoped that some arrangements will be made to have not only it, but all others of the series, pub" fished in some popular form. At the conclusion of the lecture a vote of thanks was heartily accorded the rev. lecturer on the proposition of Mr Woodward, seconded by the Rev. Mr Paterson, who intimated that, next Monday, there would be no lecture, in consequence of a meeting in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church being appointed for that evening, but on the following Monday a lecture would be given by the Hon Major Richardson, whose subject was “ The Pathway to Success.” On the Monday after a lecture would also be given by Dr. Hector, F.R.C.S. Flax Shipment to California.— The following paragraph appears in the “Alta California,” of July 14: —There can be litte doubt that when the New Zealand colonists and ourselves get better acquainted there will be for both new openings of profitable trade discovered. We yesterday inspected, at the office of Messrs Collie, Stewart and Co, a sample of capital rope, manufactured in this city from New Zealand flax. The flax was shipped hither by Messrs Driver, Stewart and Co, of Dunedin. It is said to be almost equal to Manila after undergoing a process of steaming with chemical processes. The gum is entirely extracted, and the rope will receive tar, and can be applied to the same purposes as Russian flax. If the shippers in New Zealand make up their minds and will ship to the same agent here, so as to prevent compe-

tition and consequent reduction in price, probably one thousand tons of the fibre can be sold here speedily at from £22 to £24 per ton. Brunner Coal mine Railway. —The report of Dr. Hector and Mr Blackett on the “ best course for a railway to connect the coal-mine on the Grey with a shipping; port,” recommends that the railway should be carried down the south side of the river, to Greymouth, instead of down the north side, to Cobden, as desired by the Nelson Government. The cost of the line recommended is largely in excess of what would be necessary on the Nelson side of the river; but the whole question is gone into in detail in the report, which will have to be ratified by Parliament.

Skylarks. —Mr Travers, commissioned by the Acclimatisation Society, took with him from Nelson, says the “ Colonist,” twenty skylarks in fine condition, to be turned out in the Botanical Gardens at Wellington. Mr Ludlam having written to say that the larks presented to the Hutt some months ago are thriving, Mr Wakefield has begged him to send some plants of the Scottish heather, that grows so luxuriantly at Newry, in order that the hills around ;Nelson may bo planted in anticipation of the introduction of several of the different varieties of grouse from Scotland ; for we understand that steps are being taken to insure so desirable an object. A batch of larks was sent by Captain Palmer, a fortnight since, to Greymouth, for the Ahaura, but Mr Whitefoord, the warden, reports that three only reached the Totara Flat alive. A reintorcement goes by the Kennedy today, which we hope will meet with better success, as the weather has taken up.

New Zealand Flax.— The “Home News” says New Zealand is evidently freeing itself from one of the objections that have been urged against its use in rope-making. Mr. C. Thorne, of whose exertions in connection with the utilisation of the phormium we have already had to speak, has favored us with the following letter received from Messrs E. Sheldon, shipowners. It cannot fail to prove satisfactory to those interested in the New Zealand flax trade: —“By the mail which has just arrived from Belize, we have a letter from Captain Shaw, the master of our vessel, the Sheffield, and in it he alludes to the rope which we purchased from you, in the following terms :— ‘ The white rope sent on board of the Sheffield in London has been well tested, as we have had it in use for taking in 360 logs of mahogany, some of them three and four tons weight, besides using It for winch ropes for the hold ; I consider it superior rope to any we have had on former voyages that we have used for the same work. The test which rope undergoes in loading a cargo of mahogany at Belize is really very severe indeed. The rafting lines, constantly submerged in water during the night, are in the day exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, and when the weight and size of the logs are taken into consideration, and that they have to be hauled through the surf —a distance of some four miles—we should think that such a test of the quality of the rope could scarcely be exceeded. We therefore think you have every reason to be satisfied with the report which Captain Shaw makes upon your rope.

Telegraph Extension". —We learn from a contemporary that Mr Bird, Inspector of Telegraphs, has arrived in Hokitika, for the purpose of laying out a line of telegraph to Boss, one of the most important mining townships in Westland. Prize Essays. —We notice that, in the Westland County Council, one of the members, Mr liobinsou, is to move: — “ That a sum of £SO be placed upon the Estimates, the same to be offered as a premium for the best Essay upon the County of Westland, comprising the following subjects: Yield of gold, customs duties, population, climate and temperature, mineral resources, leadingt natural features, including altitudes of mountains, altitude of lakes, and extension of same, political epitome, description of forest woods, wildfowl, fish in rivers and on coast, statistics of health, and current rates of wrges, and necessaries of life in the various centres of population.

Cession of New Guinea. —One of the most interesting items of intelligence brought by the mail from San Francisco is conveyed in the following brief telegram to the “News of the World”:—“The Second Chamber of the Parliament of the Netherlands has ratified the treaty for the cession of New Guinea, in the Pacific Ocean, to England.” Beferring to this announcement, the “ Southern Cross says :—There has been no preparation for this remarkable but most gratifying intelligence. It appears such an abandonment of the modern policy of England that its announcement will cause a great surprise, while a thought of the magnificent results that may arise from the colonisation of New Guinea must cause the deepest interest in the mind of every one that can take a comprehensive view of the future of the British settlements in these southern seas. It is no exaggeration to say New Guinea is one of the finest islands in the world, and from whatever cause

arising, the occupation and colonisation of Papua must be fraught with incalculable advantages to the Anstralian colonies.

Reduction of Gold Duty. —On Wednesday Mr C. O’Neill, the member for the Thames, gave notice that next week he would move that the duty on gold should be reduced to one shilling on. each standard ounce, and that the “ miner’s right fee” should be reduced to ten shillings. The present duty on gold is 2s 6d per ounce, and the miner’s right fee is 20s. Greymouth Coal mine and Railway. —The joint report of Dr Hector and Mr Blackett is one of the papers included in the reports and correspondence on railway construction which have just been placed before the General Assembly. Considerable interest has been taken both in the Nelson province and in Westland, with regard to the recommendation of the report upon a much discussed question, namely, whether the proposed line of railway should be on the north or the south side of the river Grey. It has already been stated that the suoth side has been preferred by the Commissioners, and we find that this preference is expressed in one of the three recommendations with which the report concludes. These are—“ First, that a light bridge should be thrown across the Coal Gorge, adapted for curving the small waggons that are used in the coal mines, and also for foot and horse traffic. 2nd, that the line on the south side of the river should be adopted. 3rd, that the wharfage at Greymouth should be improved in such a manner that while it affords facilities for shipping coal, it will also render permanent the channel of the rivei’, and increase the depth of water on the bar.” The Commissioners calculate the cost of the south line to be £30,376, and of the north line to be £27,687, and with regard to their choice they say :—“ In adopting the line on the south side of the river, there is another but remote consideration that should be taken into account, and that is the future extension of the line of rail way up the valley of the Grey river. From our acquaintance with the features of the country, we are of opinion that such an extension must follow along the south side of the valley, whether it be considered as aline leading direct to Nelson, or as a branch line to connect with a main line from Nelson to the east side of the mountains by the head waters of Waiau or Hurunui. At the present time, however, no requirement for any such extension exists, as the Grey river affords facilities for lighterage at a rate of freights that it would be difficult fora railway to compete with, unless the trade were extended by some unforseen cause.” The disadvantage of the north line, they state, “is the limit to the extension of the wharf accom-* modation which it presents, while at the same time the expenditure for that purpose will not assist to preserve the channel and improve the outlet of the river. To connect Greymouth with this line would require an additional expenditure for the lower bridge, while at the same time, the same harbor improvements would ultimately be required, as in the former case, and would increase the cost of the works by this route.” Odd Fellows.' —The annual district meeting was held on Thursday for the election of district officers for the ensuing year and transacting other business. From the annual report, compiled from the returns of the several lodges by the corresponding secretary, P.G. E. Bannister, it appeared there were 507 members good on the books ; 59 new members had been initiated during the year, and 47 had left the order; 43 sick members had received £326 18s 6d, exclusive of medicine and medical attendance, and £9O had been paid in funeral donations. The total funds of the district amounted to £5,567 11s lid, being an increase of £llß 15s 9d. During the year two new lodges have been opened—one at Meanee, Napier, and the other at Greytown, Wairarapa, with every prospect of success. P.G. Thos. Weadeley was elected Grand Master; P.G. N. Valentine, Deputy Grand Master; and P.G. Edwin Bannister retained the office of corresponding secretary. Applications were received for the opening of tvs o new lodges, one at Featlierston and the other at Masterton, which were granted. After the disposal of some other routine business, a vote of thanks was unanimously given to the retiring Grand Master, P.P.G.M. E. Lewis, and the quarterly district meeting was then adjourned uutil October next.

The Heathen Chinese. —Matters in connection with the Chinese question appear to be coming to a head in the Wakatip district. Indeed, if our (“ Daily Times ”) Queenstown telegram is to be believed, a “ scrimmage ” between the miners and the “heathen” is not unlikely. “ Money is forthcoming freely,” “ the organisation is proceeding rapidly,” and excitement prevails ; the crusade is about to begin. A petition has been got up by the Arrow District Miner’ Association against the further influx of Chinese into the province. A letter on the same subject, by Mr James Miller, the President of the Association, appears in the “Arrow Observer.” It contains the following

startling passage:—“We are freemen—they are slaves! We are Christians they are heathens ! ! We are Britons—they are Mongolians ! ! !” Tree Planting.— -An effort towards planting forest trees on a large scale is about to be made by a gentleman residing near Timaru, who calls for tenders for planting 150 acres with blue gums, and who purposes planting another 100 acres with the same trees in the course of a year. Hall’s Line of Steamers.—According to a paragraph in the “ Argus” of the sth instant, Mr Henry Parkes had an interview witli the Chief Secretary, and on behalf of Hall’s line to San Francisco made certain proposals for constituting Melbourne the final port of arrival and departure for that service. Mr Duffy promised that the Government would consider the subject. The Sydney correspondent of the “ Argus,” writing of this line on the 28th ult, says :—“ The City of Melbourne has disappointed expectation in both her passages, and the saving of time by the American route has still to be demonstrated. Leaving Sydney on the fourth of May, the pioneer vessel did not reach San Francisco till the seventh of June, but she encountered strong head winds all the way from Honolulu to California. Neither was thereturn trip accomplished totime, for leaving San Francisco on the2oth June, she did not make Port Jackson till the 24th of July. The Wonga, which was the second boat, will notshow any improvementon this speed, as far as the outward passage is concerned, for she had strong headwinds the whole way to Honolulu, and had to lie to for two days, but she may be more lucky on the downward trip. The City of Adelaide promises to be the first to achieve the expected success.” The same correspondent, on the 3rd of this month writes: The City of Melbourne left on Wednesday for California with a fair number of passengers. She was unavoidably detained for three days, as through arriving three days late there was not time to give her a proper overhaul so as to allow of her departure on the Ist, an important fracture was discovered in the machinery which could not be repaired hurriedly. Her old three-bladed screw has been put on, and it is to be hoped that this time she will make a good run. The Government makes no sign as to what it intends to do in the way of subsidy, but the company that owns the vessels is being inevitably drawn into taking a larger share of the risk. Draught Stock.— The annual horse show at Messrs M'Culloch, Campbell and Co.’s bazaar, Melbourne, came off on the 9th and 10th inst. The highest price offered was for the imported five year old draught horse Marquis of Lorn, who was bought in at £BOO. Of those sold, Merry Bob, a three year old Clydesdale colt, brought the best price, being bought by Messrs Officer Brothers, Murray Downs, for £7OO. Among the colonial bred horses, a very fine three year old was sold for New Zealand for £3lO. Mountain Chief, a splendid bay colt, rising three years old, standing over sixteen hands high, with great power and excellent action, was sold to Captain Haimes, of Colac, for the moderate price of £450. Count Bismark, a powerful dapple bay, was purchased by Mr Robert Lennox, of Kilmore, for £3BO. The colonial bred horse Prince was sold to Mr W. Thompson, of New Zealand, for £IBO.

Life Insurance. —The insurance system was practically brought into operation in New Zealand on Ist March, 1870, and from that date up to 30th June last, according to the report of the Annuities Commissioner, 667 proposals for assurances, amounting to £295,874, have been received (more than half of this number were received during the last quarter), of which 448 have been accepted and taken up, and policies issued amounting to £205,374, at an annual premium of £5,810 4s Bd. , The number declined out of the 667 proposals is 75 for assurances, amounting to £31,300; this may betaken to show that great care is exercised in the selection of lives. The number of proposals not taken up on 30th June was 30, and 114 were under consideration on that date : the large proportion of the latter class is attributable to the fact that many of the proposals were then of quite recent date. There had then also been received, fifteen endowment proposals, of which ten were completed, and seven annuity proposals, of which four were granted. Floods at Taranaki.— The rain that fell on Friday and Saturday week caused the rivers to rise considerably higher than has been known for years past. The water of the Waiwakaiho was, at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, within two feet of the top cylinder of the bridge, and that of the Huaki within a foot or so of the arch. During Monday last a part of the dam at the Pioneer Steel Works gave way, causing the Mangatuku to rise in town several feet. The floor of Mr S. Ollivier’s mill was covered with two or three feet of water, and Mr Davidson’s shoeing yard was flooded. A bridge near Tataraimaka, we hear, was washed away on Saturday, hut with these exceptions no other damage was done.

Pen and Pencil. —An attempt is being made in Sydney to form, under the title of the Pen and Pencil Society, an association of those whose tastes lead them towards literature and art. A committee has been formed to take the matter in hand, and see if it can establish in Sydney a pleasant social centre for the lovers of letters and art. Another attempt is also being made to patronise art, and this is by the formation of an academy of art. The examples are worthy of imitation in New Zealand, where no combined effort has been made to promote, by permanent association, either art or literature. A Prosperous "Venture. —The Peak Downs copper mine has just surprised the shareholders with a return unknown in the history of joint-stock mining in New South Wales. For some years the company has been struggling with difficulties, the shares, which in the first blush of expectation had gone up to five guineas, having afterwards dropped to 10s. At last, however, all difficulties have been conquered, and in one half-year the directors have netted sufficient profit to enable them to pay off a debt of £40,000, and a dividend at the rate of 30 per cent, per annum, on the capital of £IO,OOO.

Invercargill as it is.— A correspondent of the Dunedin “ Star” says : Everything in Invercargill wants a coat of paint. ‘ Twas well whitewashed, I hear some years since. From the railway carriages to the Court bouse everything looks shabby. ’ Tis not “a wilderness of empty tenements,” however., as the member for Wakatip stated in Wellington last session—nor is it at all like a “ modern Pompeii,” as he called it. for even the drains are uncovered. The “carving and gilding” neither are very apparent; and however “ delirious with joy” the hotelkeepers may have been in the days of the past, they seem staid and sane enough now the streets are patrolled by policemen —one by day, and one by night, Were they always in the barracks the public would know where to find them. It speaks well for the public habits the repressive force is so light. Special Settlements. —The County Council of Westland have agreed to recommend two more “ special settlements” south of the Mikonui river, which was selected as the northern boundary line of such settlements under the Westland Waste Lands Act. One is in the neighborhood of Ross, consisting of 20,000 acres, and another in the neighborhood of Okarito, consisting of 50,000 acres. Mr Hoos, in moving the resolution, said he would not go so far as to say that there would be a rush in those localities, but he was convinced that a settled population would gradually grow up, and in time conduce to the permanent settlement of the population upon the lands within the country.

Port Chalmers Rail way. —An importantquestionhas been raised in the Supreme Court, Dunedin, by an action brought by Mr Crook, the owner of some land at Sawyer’s Bay, over which it is proposed to carry the Port Chalmers railway. The contractor having offered Crook a sum of money as compensation which he did not deem adequate, he has applied for an injunction to restrain them from proceeding with the work, upon the ground that the Provincial Ordinances under which the agreement has been entered into are invalid. There have been lengthy arguments between Mr Macassey and Mr Haggitt, but judgment has been reserved.

Spots on the Sun. —The “ Scientific Observer” on the staff of the “ Otago Daily Times” states that those who are interested in solar astronomy will find the disc of the sun at present well worthy of observation. As seen through Mr Lake’s telescope, with a power of 600, there are are large and several smaller groups of spots, mostly situated on the eastern limb. One of these spots, near the equator, is very dark, while to the north of it is one whose shape is not unlike a fiat fish. To the eastward of this again, there is a group of five, and, continuing to the south, there is a line of small spots, ending in one large one. It is not often that such a large group of spots is seen at one time.

Addison’s Flat. —This district seems to maintain its reputation as a place in which there is frequent exercise of might versus right:—A violeut assault was made a day or two ago upon the bailiff of the B.M. Court, Westport, while executing a ca sa warrant against a man named Peter Kerr. It appears that Mr Temperley left Westport, shortly after midnight, for Addison’s, and had arrested the debtor, when several men succeeded in rescuing him, the bailiff receiving some severe blows about the body, and only extricating himself after the loss of his hat and coat.

Mr Farjeon as a Novelist.— Mr B. L. Farjeon’s novel, Joshua Marvel, originally published in “ Tinsley’s Magazine,” has appeared in full three volume form, and is very favorably noticed byseveral of the papers. The critics particularly applaud Mr Farjeon for his unaffected style and his successful management of a very interesting Btory.