News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 36, 30 September 1871, Page 11

News of the Week.

The Railway Contracts.—Some further papers relating to Mr Vogel's mission to England" have been printed. These include two letters from Messrs Brogden an! Sons, the latter of which,dated July 27, states that they cannot definitely announce that Mr A. Brodgen would leave by the next mail v in consequenceof the uncertainty of the close of Parliament. Meantime they suggest that consideration of the contract should be deferred until the arrival of Mr Brogden or one of the firm, since, as they state, "it is evident from our further enquiries as to terms upon which the issues of the capital for the railways can be made, that a modification of the agreement to render the terms as nearly as possible like those adopted in the case of the Indian railways will be required, in order to make them such as the New Zealand Government and we would work under." They speak of several points which impose unusual obligations on companies; and those they mean to examine with the promised assistance of Mr Mackrell. They renew their assurance that, in carrying out the undertakings, they shall endeavor to do so to the entire satisfaction of the Government.

The Accident at the Hutt.—Albert Hall, the poor boy who received a kick from a horse at the Hutt on the day of driving the first pile of the new bridge, has already been reported as having succumbed to the injuries which he received, but he survived until Thursday morning, when he died at ten o'clock, lock-jaw having set in. Ordination.—On Sunday the Bishop of Wellington held an ordination in St Paul's Cathedral Church, when there were ordained to the office of Priest, the Eev. A. Knell, of Wairarapa, and the Eev. J. M'William, of Otaki. Prayers were read by the incumbent, the Eev. B. W. Harvey, and the sermon, from Matt. 28 c. 20 v., was preached by the Yen. Archdeacon Stock. The assisting Presbyters at the consecration were the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Eev H. W. St Hill, Eev. B. K. Taylor, and the Eev. B. W. Harvey. The offertory was for the endowment fund, and amounted to nearly £2O. Aquatics.—Ata meeting heldatthePier Hotel on Thursday night, which was called by advertisement to take into consideration the desirability of the Wellington Club sending a boat and crew to compete at the intercolonial race to take place at Canterbury on the Ist January next, Mr J. Brown was moved to the chair. After due deliberation, it was resolved that a boat be procured from Melbourne, when a crew will go into training. £l6 was subscribed in the room. The subject of opening the boating season in Wellington was brought up, and it was resolved to open the season on Saturday, the 7th October, boats to muster at the Queen's wharf at 2.30 p.m, by order of the commodore. Attempted Escape.—A prisoner named John Hunter, undergoing a sentence in Wellington gaol for horse-stealing, made an attempt to escape on Thursday afternoon. While walking with the laborgang from the place at which they had dined to the scene of their work near Mount Victoria, Hunter suddenly dashed away at full speed from the gang, and made towards Mr Watson's house, and thence down the hill towards a boat which lay a few yards from shore. Eeardon, one of the warders, pursued him hotly, discharging three shots from his revolver as he ran, and just as Hunter reached the water he secured him. Thus secured after a smart chase, he was removed to the gaol. Wellington Cricket Club. On Wednesday evening a meeting of the Wellington Cricket Club was held at the Empire Hotel, when the following officers were appointed for the ensuing year : President: E. Pearce, Esq.. M.H.E.; Vice-Presidents : G. Hunter, M.H.E., and T. Buchanan; Secretary: Mr M'Donald ; Treasurer: Mr W. Bromley; Committee: Messrs Evans, Salmon, Vincent, Gibbs, Gray, and Ollivier. The report of the late secretary and the balance sheet were read and adopted. Play will commence next week, but arrangements have been made for opening the match season on the 9fch of November, the Prince of Wales' birthday, between the first eleven and twenty-two ; sides to be chosen by Messrs Marchant and Salmon. Meteorological Facts. We learn from Dr Hector's Meteorological Eeport for the year 1870 that the average temperature for the whole colony is 55 ° 2, while the North Island has 5 ° '4 higher average temperature than the South Island. The most marked difference between the two Islands is in the range of temperature ; thus at Auckland the extreme range amounts to 44 ° 'B, while at Christchurch it is 65 ° •%. According to the observations for the same year, the dampest atmosphere prevails at Hokitika. We find, on the other hand, that Taranaki has the smallest amount of moisture in the atmosphere, and that Auckland and Christ* church are equally moist, and come next after Hokitika. The greatest rainfall is at Hokitika, but the greatest number of

rainy days is at Auckland, while, on the other hand, Nelson has fewest wet days, and yet has a larger rainfall than the latter place. In the South Island the rainfall is greater, amounting to an annual average, by the records at the different stations, of 57325 inches, while in the North Island it is 46'607 inches. Lecture by Dr Hector.—The seventh of the series of Popular Lectures in the Presbyterian Church, Willis street, was delivered on Monday evening by Dr Hector to a crowded audience, the chair being occupied by the Hon. Major Eichardson. The subject was " Pre-historic New Zealand," and the lecturer, after giving a concise account of man's early remains in Europe, and their relations to the geographical distribution of animals, shewed that the wonderful effect which man produces in altering the fauna and flora indicates the successive periods of the dispersion of the race from original centres. He then"showed that man, in a state very similar to, if not identical with the Maoris, displaced the moas, causing their destruction chiefly by fire, the early Maoris perhaps differed in some respects from the present, but there is no reason to believe they are a distinct race. As a reason for the greater abundance of moa bones in the South Island it was suggested that the fires from volcanoes may have caused their partial extinction even before the arrival of man ; while in the South, where there are no volcanoes, the moas continued to be abundant till they were destroyed by the Maoris' fires. Interesting information was given respecting very perfect moa remains that had been obtained of late years, such as the neck with skin and feathers, and the footprints, which are in the Museum. At the conclusion of the lecture a vote of thanks was proposed by Archdeacon Stock, which was carried by acclamation. The Eev. Mr Paterson announced that the next lecture would be delivered by Mr Knowles, on Monday, the 2nd proximo. Fourth Session, Fifth Diocesan Synod, Wellington.—The members of the Synod met at St. Paul's Church for Divine Service on Tuesday at 11 o'clock, and at the Diocesan Eooms at 2 o'clock. Present—The Bishop, Archdeacon Stock (secretary), Eev H. W. St. Hill, Eev T. Fancourt, Eev B. W. Harvey, Eev B. K. Taylor, Eev J. M'William, Eev C. H. S. Nicholes, Eev A. Knell, Messrs Barraud, Barton, Moore, Buchanan, Bannatyne, Hunter, Ludlam, Braithwaite, Crawford, E.M., Halcombe (secretary). The Bishop in his address reviewed the facts relative to the appointment of Bishop Jenner to Dunedin—that the General Synod had not in any way sanctioned the act of the late Primate when he requested the Archbishop of Canterbury to elect and consecrate a clergyman as Bishop of Dunedin; that, had all things been done regularly, no appointment could be made without the sanction of the General Synod, which was refused; that, beside this, the principle of the Early Christian Church was that no Bishop should be forced upon those unwilling to receive him, nor appointed without the consent of the other Bishops of the province. The Bishop reviewed the proceedings of the General Synod, and pointed out what would be the necessary action of the Synod in consequence. He spoke earnestly upon the necessity of introducing religion into any scheme of education, and hoped that the Parliament would wisely pass the present bill, and not stir up that agitation which would at once follow the adoption of a measure against the wishes of a very large number who would not have any education without religion. Notices of motion were given by several members, and the Synod adjourned. Stone Quarry,—We understand that Mr Pickering, who resides at Xaiwarra, has succeeded, after some trouble, in opening up a quarry of superior stone which is likely to come into extensive use in town for such purposes as kerbing, culverts, and street metal. It is described as a metamorphic sandstone, and is apparently of a quality which eminently fits it for the purposes mentioned. Its use as street metal would be an especial boon in Wellington, where a superabundance of soft stone on the streets, added to the clay on ,the reclaimed ground and on the terrace, furnishes, for the sport of the wind, such an intolerable quantity of dust.

Meteoe.—-A very brilliant meteor was seen on Monday nightabouthalf-pastseven o'clock. It passed from east to weßt, disappearing from sight behind the Karori hills, and is described as almost equal in, brilliancy to the meteor which was seen some months ago, and which was accompanied by an explosion. Nevee Despaie Gold-Mining Company.—Early on Monday morning Messrs Brown, M'lntyre, O'Neill, Palmer, and Wright left town for the Never Despair gold mine, where they arrived at noon. The drive, measuring 605 feet, was minutely examined, and several parcels of the stone were crushed, these being taken without anj selection for a distance of ten or twelve feet, and the result was a good prospect of gold in each instance. All present expressed themselves well pleased and thoroughly hopeful; but, pending the

report of Messrs O'Neill and Brown, we will not dilate upon the hopejwh oh 11 at present felt as the future of Wellington s g °Tn"& Steam /S .-An Auck. land contemporary reproduces "Hawaiian Gazette," an .of American advertising : The United States W Zealand, and Australian Steamship Line advertised, the trip before last that their steamer ' A]ax would leave San Francisco on the 19th of June, and would connect with the fast and favorite A 1 paddle-wheel steamer Nevada, at Honolulu, which latter vessel would proceed immediately direct to Auckland. ±ne Nevada, they further affirm, has already proved herself the most speedy, comfortable, best ventilated and reliable steamer that has crossed the Pacific Ocean, and as a particular inducement, they inform travellers that they should take this line to avoid "hurricanes, shoals, sunken reefs and dangerous navigation through the Fiji Islands." Not to be outdone in the puff direct, or in disparaging inuendos, the agents of Hall's line invite passengers to take "notice that theirs is the only direct through line to Honolulu, Fiji Islands, Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne, not liable to detention in Honolulu by steamers not making connection," and as a set off against what was said about dangerous., navigation through the Fijis, travellers are informed that those taking passages in the Wonga Wonga are subjected to "no danger from worn-out boilers, and side-wheel steamers, unfit to navigate the rough sea of the Southern Pacific with safetv." Supreme Couet in Wanganui.—The " Chronicle" learns that the first sittings of the Supreme Court there will be held in the beginning of January next, and that the sittings will henceforth be held twice a-year. The fitting-up of the Court House will be commenced in a few weeks. Death oe the Chiee Mahau.—The death of this celebrated chief who stood to the Europeans during the hostilities with the natives during 1860, 64, is noticed by the Taranaki papers. This chief was presented by Governor Browne with a silver plate, on which was engraved a record of his services. He leaves but one son to inherit his estates and chieftainship. Sad Occurrence at Whangarei Heads.—An accident, whereby two men from Parua Bay lost their lives by drowning, is thus described by a correspondent of the " Southern Cross" :—" Three men were in a small boat fishing near the Snake Bank till the turn of the tide—about 8 p.m. In pulling up the sail for the purpose of returning home to Parua Bay, the halliard came out of the mast, and one of the men foolishly climbed up the mast to put it in again.. His weight was too much for the little boat, and she instantly Went over. One of the men, named Robinson, managed to get on the bottom of the boat. He saw one of his companions, named Captain Walker, sink and rise no more ; but the other, his own brother, he could not tell what became of. He was under the impression that he swam away from the boat directly she went over. The survivor clung to the boat, shouting loudly the whole time, for about three hours, and drifted out towards the entrance of the harbor for about five miles. His shouts were very luckily heard by Mrs Aubrey, who had not then gone to rest. She immediately put up her sons, helped them to launch the boat, and in a very short \he unhappy man was safely in their boat, nearly exhausted, but quite Capt. Williams leaves a large family quite unprovided for. Mr Robinson leaves a widow and one child —now in Auckland.

Agricultural.—An Otago contemporary has the following:—A four-furrow plough, made by Messrs Reid and Gray, of Oamaru, has, for a short time, been in use on a farm on the Papakaio Plains in ploughing stubble land, and has, we are assured, averaged six acres a day. Six horses are used, and the ploughman sits on a seat such as is used with the reaper, and guides the horses and plough with ease. Bridges in the Patea District. — The " Taranalri Herald" is glad to hear of the completion of the bridges which have been some time in course of construction over three of the most dangerous streams in the Patea district. The workmen returned to town at the beginning of the week, and Cobb's coach can now cross both the Waingongoro and Tangahoe rivers. The approaches to the Manawapou river, which, through the wet weather, have been delayed, are now in the course of formation, and in a few weeks will be ready for traffic. The bridges have been built by Messrs Eundle and Brooking, and are spoken of as being well constructed. The success with which Mr O. Carrington (who is in charge of the road works), has carried out his part of the work must be exceedingly gratifying to the Government, who, it is hoped, before the next winter sets in, will cause to be bridged the rest of the dangerous rivers between this and the Waingongoro. The Intercolonial Conference.—At -the Intercolonial Conference now sitting in 'Melbourne, New South Wales is represented by the Premier, Sir Jas. Martin ;

the Hon Mr Docker, Postmaster-General; and the Hon Mr Lord, Treasurer. South Australia is represented by the Chief Secretary and Treasurer of that colony, together with the Hon. W. Morgan, who represents more particularly the Upper House of South Australia. Queensland is likely to be represented by the Hon Mr Palmer, and Tasmania by the Premier, and the Hon Mr Dunn. Musical. —We understand that Signor Contini (baritone) and Signor Devotti (tenor), with some other members of Lyster's Opera Troupe, possibly including Madame Simonsen as prima donna, will arrive in New Zealand by the next Melbourne steamer. The pianist of the troupe was a passenger by the Gothenburg, and has come on to make the necessary arrangements. Death by Drowning.—On Saturday last, a youth named John Bryant, of the Grove, Queen Charlotte Sound, was drowned in a creek near his residence. From the evidence taken at the inquest, which was held before Dr Williams, coroner, on Monday, it appears that the youth, who was of unsound mind and subject to frequent fits, left home on Saturday morning at about 7 o'clock, and was seen no more until about half-past 8, when the body was found by two lads, lying on its face in the creek and in about twelve inches of water. Assistance was obtained, but, although the body was warm, all efforts to restore animation were unavailing. It is supposed that deceased had a fit whilst crossing the creek. Colonial School Books. —Special editions of the reading books of the Irish National Board of Education have been prepared by Mr A. Gilchrist, one of the inspectors of schools in Victoria, for the use of schools in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, and are being published by Mr Thorn, of Dublin. Their speciality consists in this—that they contain articles and lessons bearing directly on the political and natural history of this part of the globe, its geography, and so forth. One of the specimen parts reviewed by the "Argus" contains 55 pages of original local matter, and it forms part, we believe, of a volume of 400 pages, which, when bound in cloth, is sold by the Board of Education to teachers of Common Schools for 96L 1 : The Education Question in Tas-mania.—-Mr Lovell, a candidate for North Hobart, speaking of scholarships to the Home Universities, is reported _ to have said : —He did not see why this colony should be burdened with £2OO which was paid in England, and the colony receive no benefit from it. He believed in every child being educated, ! but it did not follow that they should run into those extravagances. If they could afford it, it would be different. The young men who obtained these honors would of necessity be of superior ability, but the people of this colony were merely making young men for other places. There was no scope here for those young men on the completion of their course of study in England, and they accordingly either stayed there, or went to other centres of population. Wool.-—By a private telegram from London, dated August 9, at which time , the wool sales had closed, the " Daily Times " learns that a further advance had taken place on the price of wool. Death or a Maori Prisoner.—The death of one of the Maori prisoners, named Tamah Te Pouwhakaruru, is thus noticed in the Dunedin papers : —He was 63 years of age, a widower, and belonged to the Wesleyan denomination. He was a member of the Ngatiruanui hapu, and uncle of the chief, Taurua. He was undergoing a sentence of seven years' penal servitude for high^treason, and had served two years of his sentence. An inquest was held at the Hospital at noon yesterday by Dr Hocken, Coroner, and a jury. After hearing the evidence of Mr Caldwell, Governor of the Gaol, and Dr Yates, Resident Surgeon of the Hospital, the jury returned a verdict of "Died of consumption." In the evening, Taurua, the chief, and a large number of the Maori prisoners, attended at the Hospital morgue, when the Catechist, in the absence of the Rev. Mr Reid from town, celebrated the service of the dead. The hapu afterwards held a tangi over the remains of the deceased, whom they held in much esteem. Dr Jenner's Resignation.—Dr Jenner's resignation of his claims to the bishopric of Dunedin is explained by the following extract from the " Guardian" of July 8 :—" We learn from an article in the " Colonial Church Chronicle" that the misunderstanding on the subject of the bishopric of Dunedin has been happily adjusted. The excitement renewed by the publication in England of the proceedings of the last General Synod and the election of Mr Nevill, seems, it is stated, to have suggested to the Archbishop of Canterbury the expediency of a reference to the Bishops of his province. The Bishop of Dunedin accepted the proposal, and voluntarily promised to accept their decision and to follow their advice. In pursuance of this suggestion, the i Archbishop and seventeen Bishops passed J

the following resolution, 'We, the undersigned Bishops of the province of Canterbury, having no authority to pronounce any judgment on the conduct of the Bishops and Synod of the province of New Zealand, can express no opinion thereon ; but being asked for our brotherly counsel by the Right Rev H. L. Jenner, D.D., we do advise him, under all the difficulties of the case, to resign all right and title to the bishopric of Dunedin.' Bishop Jenner has felt at liberty to accept this advice, and the matter is ended." Hawera and Waihi.—This highly fertile district, says the Wanganui " Herald," is rapiply progressing ; settlement is going on surely and steadily ; even now the aspect of the country will favorably compare with any other portion of the colony. Until lately Waihi has been the extreme frontier outpost, but we have been informed that the whole of the A. C's under the command of Major Noake will shortly be removed from Patea, and thus make Waihi the headquarters. The Caledonian Claim. —A change in the run of the reef in this mine has lately been the subject of some speculation. The change is thus described by a correspondent of one of the Auckland papers : —As I stated m my report yesterday, the hanging-wall has dropped and seems inclined to give the lode a bit of a squeeze. The latter is reduced to five feet in thickness where the specimen run is, and this morning looked a little better than it did yesterday. One or two shots were put in during the night, and disloged a lot of the stuff, and revealed gold on the footwall, where I never saw it before. The gold struck seems inclined to take a lower position in the lode, perhaps forced down by the hanging wall; at any rate the movement is a good sign, for it indicates that so long as an inch of stone remains between the walls the gold will cling to it. What will be result of the nipping process now going on time alone can tell. The lode may be contracted to much narrower limits than it now ocpies, and it may widen out again to-mor-row. But " sufficient for the day" &c, and to-day there were evidences of improvement. Congregational.—The Rev. Mr by, MA., L.L.8., arrived in the Gothenburg, from Melbourne, to take charge of the Congregational Church in Dunedin. The Iron Trade. —The "Daily Times'* hears that there is at present a scarcity of mechanics in the boiler-making branch of the iron trade in Dunedin, and, that at least one firm has telegraphed to the various Northern ports for hands, offering them a six months' engagement. Arrowtown, Otago, is agitating for the formation of a municipality. The Port Chalmers Railway.—We learn fromt he " Daily Times" that all the rolling-stock for this railway is being constructed under the supervision of Mr Fairlie. It was decided to adopt two of Fairlie's double bogie four-cylinder engines, with four wheels at each end, and weighing about 21 tons each, without water or coal. They will be able to pull a combined goods and passenger train, as heavy as can be expected here, and although they are more costly by £SOO each than the ordinary type of locomotive, yet they prove so economical in the working, that the additional cost is soon made up. Messrs Newton & Willows, of the Vulcan Foundry Company, of Leeds, a firm with a first-class reputation, has contracted for their construction ; but, owing to the strike of engineers at Newcastle and elsewhere, they cannot be completed before the middle of November next, and may be expected in February, 1872. The promoteis have contracted with the Bristol Railway Carriage and Waggon Works Co. construction of all the carriages, waggons, &c, for the line. Each carriage, though short, is to be a bogie in itself, and is to be drawn by a radical draw-bar, fastened in the centre of the framing, and fitted with Fairlie's patent curved buffer, which is a new idea in rolling stock. There are expected by the Peter Denny and James Nicol Fleming, several of Black's patent stone breakers, for breaking stones to ballast the line, and one of A. Chaplin and Son's, of Glasgow, steam cranes. Each stone breaker is guaranteed to be capable of breaking 120 cubic yards of stone per day of ten hours.

MAKAYILLA COCOA.—No breakfast table is complete without this delicious beverage.—The " G-lobe" 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 qualities of ' Maravilla' Cocoa. Adapting their perfect system of preparation to this finest of all species of the Theobroma, they have produced an article which superseded every other Cocoa in the market. Entire solubility, a delicate aroma, and a rare concentration of the purest elements of nutrition, distinguish the Maravilla Cocoa above all others. For homoeopaths 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.

Meat Preserving in Otago.—From the " Daily Times" we learn that an extraordinary general meeting of the Otago Meat Preserving Company was called for the purpose of authorising the increase, by the issue of new shares, of the company's capital to £15,000. It was resolved to increase the capital to that amount. It appeared from the report that during the six months' operations of the company, 31,369 sheep, and 1011 head of cattle had been converted*, yielding more than 150 tons of tallow, and about 1.000.0001bs of preserved meat. Nelson Race-Horses eor Canterbury. —By the Phoebe, Mr Redwood shipped a lot of horses for Canterbury, among which were five intended to compete at the ensuing Metropolitan Meeting, to come off on the 7th, Bth, and 10th of November. The horses, says the " Nelson Examiner," are Peeress, Lacenfeed, Expectation (a three-year-old colt by Ravensworth, out of Coronaria) Benathalath, another three-year-old, son of Symphony, by Towton ; and Patch, otherwise Young Voltigeur. Peeress is in capital condition, and there will be, we suppose, a renewal of the struggle between her and Knottingley for the Cup. Lacenfeed is perfectly sound, and she will run therefore, if she keeps right, under different circumstances to what she did at the last Nelson Meeting, Benathalath is well-grown coll, of uncertain temper. The weather has been so unfavorable, that little opportunity has been afforded of getting the young horses forward, to learn what they are capable of doing. The Coronaria colt is an elegant little horse, but too small to carry any weight, and if he proves to have pace, can only be made use of in a handicap. Patch has greatly improved, since he ran in Nelson ; he was then only half-broken, and in no condition, not having been off grass a month. The horse has a good turn of speed, and jumps remarkably well, and it must be a good horse that beats him in the hurdle race for which he is intended.

M. Chevalier's Pictures. —The London "Times" devotes a column to a description of the sketches of New Zealand scenery by M. Chevali»r, lately exhibited in the Crystal Palace. The review is evidently written by one who is not only competent-, to appreciate the excellence of M. Chevalier's art, but who is also familiar with manv of the scenes which are depicted. The sketches are described as representing scenes in all parts of New Zealand, and, among those noticed as illustrating New Zealand "town life and civilisation," are pictures of Wellington and Wanganui. In the course of his notice of these works of art, the reviewer very truly says : —" Pictures such as these do more to make New Zealand and New Zealanders known to their oldcountry cousins than all the emigrants' guide-books ever written. It is not only the energetic colonist who deserves well of a colony. The pioneers of art and science who follow the pioneers of the plough do as much to develop its resources, and, though naturalists and geologists have long ago explored New Zealand, M. Chevalier is the first who has brought us home the form and color of its surface. Those who care to see how well a ready and faithful pencil can fix the features of a strange and beautiful land should go and see these drawings." A Steam Hammer —the first in the province—has been added to Kincaid, McQueen and Co.'s Foundry, Dunedin. The first work it was put to, was the welding of the broken shaft of the s.s. Maori. A quartz mine is now being worked at Green Island, a few miles from Dunedin. Melbourne made machinery is now on the ground, worked by a portable steam engine.

Death oe George King Hipango.— Home papers received by the last mail noticed the death of this young Maori chief. The " Wanganui Chronicle" says the deceased was the son of the late worthy chief Hoani Wiremu Hipango, more formerly known as John Williams, who was killed at the battle of Okutahi, and whose monument stands on the hill behind the Putiki Pa. Hoani Hipango was taken to England by the Rev. R. Taylor, and was very fond of descanting on his interview with Queen Victoria, and the Prince Consort. His son, who had been sent to England to receive his education, died of rapid consumption on the 29th June at the residence of the Eev. Mr Lanfear, formerly missionary on the East Coast of this Island, Letcombe Eegis, near Wantage, the youth not having quite attained his twentieth year. 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 fthe oil when the stomach rejects it. These facts are attested by the published records of medical men, extracts from which accompany each bottle, price from 2s to 21s. Savory & Moore, 143, New Bond Street, London, and all Chemists. Note—Savory & Moore's name and trade mark on each bottl*; April 22 1871. 52w,

Aramoho Kace Couese.—The " Chronicle" states that Mr John Walker at Aramoho is making an excellent racecourse on his ground—a tip-top affair, compared with the common on the town belt, which the trustees are seeking to shut upsohermetically from the people of Wanganui. Good judges say that the course at Aramoho will be one of the best in the two islands.

Latest feom Fiji.—We have Fijian papers to the 2nd instant. The House of Delegates had agreed to the new constitution, which had been signed by the King in person, and the convention had been closed. There had also been a change of ministry, and the papers are filled with election notices. Further difficulties in connection with the Island labor trade are reported, and it is hard to say how these are to end, unless some steps are taken to put a stop to the trade.

Native Meeting at Pariaka.—The half-yearly meeting which Te Whiti regularly holds at Pariaka, commenced on Sunday, the 17th instant. Mr Civil Commissioner Paris, accompanied by several gentlemen, left Taranaki, on Saturday, to be present. The party arrived at Pariaka during the afternoon of the same day, and, says the " Herald," were most cordially welcomed by the natives of that village. Te Whiti had everything prepared for their reception, and on the same evening visited the party and was very friendly. The "talk" commenced on Sunday, and would continue for two or three days. Everything was going off very satisfactorily yesterday, and no obstruction, it is expected, will be made to the roads works in this district for the future.

Havelock:. —Serious Affray.—Horatio Nelson Firth and David Henderson Murdoch were, on Tuesday last, brought before W. Whitehouse, Esquire, 3J.M., at Havelock, the former charged with maliciously shooting and wounding Dennis Quinlan, and the latter with aiding and abetting. Mr Nelson conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr Fell, who had been specially telegraphed for from Nelson, for the defence. The particulars, as we learn from the Nelson papers, are as follows :—Dennis Quinlan had been drinking for some days at a public house kept by Firlh, and on Thursday last left the bouse for a time, but returned about eight o'clock in the evening, still in a state of intoxication, and, on being refused admittance, took up some boulder stones and attempted to break down the closed door, behind which a cask of beer had been placed with a view to strengthening it. He succeeded in smashing one of the panels, and as he still went on with the battering process, Firth, who with Murdoch was inside, threatened to shoot him. The threat proving ineffectual, he carried it into execution, and fired through the broken door, wounding Quinlan, fortunately very slightly, just above the hip. After this, the. story becomes more confused, but it appears that Quinlan still continued to seek admittance for some hours, and that during the night he received two severe wounds on the forehesd, one supposed to have been inflicted with an axe-handle, and the other with the stock of a gun. Murdoch was accused of giving these wounds, but the evidence against him was not complete, and consequently he was discharged. Firth stands committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court, but has in the meantime been admitted to bail. Regina v. M'Leod. —On this case being called in the Supreme Court, Dunedin, Mr Macassey stated that the defendant had made an ample apology to Mr Driver by letter, which had been brought under the notice of the Court. He therefore asked his Honor's leave to abandon the prosecution, on behalf of Mr Driver. His Honor said that as it was a private prosecution, the leave of the Court was not necessary. Mr Macassey replied that it had been thought necessary to take this course, and to bring under the notice of the* Court that, the apology having been made, the prosecutor was willing to withdraw from the position he had assumed. The letter was as follows : —" Henry Driver, Esq., Dunedin. Dear Sir, —During the recent contest for the Superintendent I published a letter, dated 6th December, 1867, and purporting to have been written by you to Mr John Treweek, late of the Bellamy Station, near Tuapeka. At the time of the publication of this letter I believed it to have been a genuine letter. From information that has since come to my knowledge, I have now to state that I do not believe that you ever wrote the lfltter referred to. I have therefore to express my sincere sorrow and regret for having published it, and beg you to accept this as an apology for my having done so during the heat of an election contest.—l am, &c, A. M'Leod." Hard Work.—A "Wellington correspondent of a Dunedin paper writes as follows regarding the work of the present Ministry during the recess : —" The result of their work, already put before members in voluminous reports, exceeds that of all former Ministries rolled into one. The very quantity of matter put before them

seems fairly to appal them ; and they begin to think that if they have to read all that is in their pigeon holes, they will have enough to do. Most unfortunately, too, it is reading which will not allow of any skipping. It is solid matter-of-fact : no figures but these of arithmetic. Immigration and public works —faugh ! The whole House seems to smell of railways and new chums. Maps and plans meet you everywhere : roads through Maori dom, telegraphs through places impossible to pronounce, tramways from one unrememberable place to another, letters and reports about Scandinavians —the whole affair seems bewildering to Southern eyes. ' If they would only make the Maoris work on the roads,' one of your members was overheard to say the day after he arrived. Next morning saw his pigeon-hole filled with returns of work done by native contractors with native workmen, at prices stated per cubic yard, and full of Maori names enough to satisfy the writer of the leading articles on the native question which appear to our great delectation up here from time to time in the ' Otago Daily Times !' lam ready to give my corporeal oath that the hon member will not read them ; but if he speaks in the House and betrays his ignorance on this subject on which he feels so strongly, I shall put some on to him. Nous verrons. No ! the fact is that those who came up to scoff remain to pray, and I am very much mistaken if some of the ' bucolic' party are not in a few days the firmest friends and supporters of the Government."

Assault Cases in Auckland. —With reference to the recent cases of assault committed on members of the Press in Auckland, the " Southern Cross" of the 23rd understands that the charge preferred by Mr Utting against Mr Samuel Morrin has been withdrawn, a very humble apology having been accepted, and that the right to thrash the members of the Press in satisfaction for obnoxious criticism will be tested in the case of Brett v Walker in the Police Court.

Mr Fitzgerald, E.M. at Hokitika, is reported to have met with an accident which will incapacitate him from attending to his duties for some days. On leaving the Supreme Court after 10 o'clock last Wednesday night, he knocked his foot against a stone with so much force as to occasion rather serious injury both to the foot and the ankle. Parliamentary Cleanliness. —A recent motion in the Victorian Assembly provokes the following remarks from the Melbourne " Argus" : —There are signs of improvement even in Mr Vale. He has given in his adhesion to the law of cleanliness. In future he is going to use water outside as well as inside. Last night ho induced the committee to assent toa proposition for the erection of baths in connection with the Houses of Parliament. Baths, in themselves, are good, and if, when bathing, Mr Vale, and others who resemble him, could leave behind them not only the uncleanness which attaches to their persons, but also their mental obliquity and moral intolerance, it would be well for them, and well for others with whom they have to do. By the way, what would an hon member do, supposing him to be luxuriating in his bath when the division bell rang ? Chambers oe Commerce.—Delegate in London.—At a recent meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the chairman informed the meeting that no reply had been as yet received, from the various chambers of commerce in the south, relative to the appointment of Dr Featherston, as delegate in London, for New Zealand. A letter from the chairman of the fChamber of Commerce at Christchurch, relative to a motion passed by them, appointing a delegate for themselves, was read. After some discussion, it was agreed, upon the motion of Captain Daldy, to write to Dr Featherston, informing him of his appointment by the Chamber, also mentioning that the chamber of the other commercial towns in the south had been communicated with, asking them to confirm the appointment; but no reply had been received from them. The motion further required that he be requested to act for the Chamber, as their representative in the committee in London. This was seconded by Mr Shera, and carried. Accident in Tookey's Claim.—A man named named James Burns had his leg broken on Friday last by a fall of rock in Tookey's mine. He was working for the tribute company, and had neglected to secure the ground properly. Mr Dewar, Tookey Company's manager, hadinspected the place and warned him of the danger. Ten minutes afterwards the accident occurred. He was taken to the hospital.

Catholic Cathedeal at Auckland. It has been resolved by the Catholics of Auckland to erect anew Cathedral. At a recent meeting held to consider the subject, every person present put his name down for a certain sum payable by quarterly instalments, the total thus sub' scribed amounting to the very handsome sum of £2,073. The manufacture of cloth has been begun at Mr Burns' mill, in the Taieri district, Otago.