News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 37, 7 October 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

Postage Stamps. —The Post Office has commenced to issue new impressions of certain of the postage stamps. As the colors of these are the same as those formerly in use, but on labels of different values, it is important that the public, when purchasing or issuing them, should be careful to use labels of the values required. Each stamp has the value printed on it in words. In the new issue, the color of the penny stamp is the same as the sixpenny was formerly, the twopenny the same as the penny was formerly, and the sixpenny the same as the twopenny was formerly. The other labels are unchanged. Fatal Accident.-— -We are informed that on Monday night a trap, in which there several Maoris, was capsized over the Upper Gorge bank, and that several of its occupants were more or less injured. The trap, it is said, fell on Te Binga Kuri, and on Monday night he died at Silver Stream. The deceased |s stated to have been the oldest Maori in the Province.

Disallowance oe Provincial Bills. —Further papers relative to the disallowance of provincial bills have been laid before the two Houses of Assembly. The papers consist of correspondence between the Colonial Secretary and Superintendents of the different provinces as to bills assented to or disallowed by .His Excellency the Governor. The correspondence relating to the Province of Wellington is comprised in one letter from the Superintendent to the Colonial Secretary, and a reply, in which the Secretary, after recounting the bills which have not been disallowed or which have been assented to, says : —“ With respect to the Wanganui Freemasons Grant Act,. 1871,1 have to inform your Honor that his. Excellency the Governor has been advised to disallow it, as the Government are advised that it is ultra vires, on the ground of its authorising a free gift, and not a aale, of land for a private purpose —such free gift not being authorised by the Public Deserves Act. The conveyance of the land would, therefore, if the act were allowed, be invalid. With regard to the Highways Act, the Government are advised that it is open to question whether the power of deciding an appeal against rates, though given only to the Board, does not, in effect, create a judicial tribunal; for though the act does not use any technical language indicating that the Board is to proceed judicially, yet it does provide that the Board is to hear and decide, and its decision is to be final. With regard to the Education Act, there is the same objection to the 30th and 31st sections as those pointed out to the appeal provisions of the Highways Act. The Government, however, do not consider the objections sufficient to justify them in recommending that these acts should be disallowed, and, as I have informed your Honor, his Excellency has not been advised to exercise his power of disallowance in respect of them.”

The Stranding or the Tell and Lady Bird. —The following are the findings of the court of enquiry into the strandings of the barque Tell and schooner Lady Bird. In the case of the T e ll That the master showed negligence in not shortening sail immediately that he observed signs of a southerly squall coming up, and that he ought not at the time to have attempted to beat out of the harbor, knowing his vessel was slow in wearing and staying, and that his crew was but a very indifferent one.” In the case of the Lady Bird “ That taking into consideration the state of the tide it would appear that the master stood rather too far over towards Barrett’s Beef, and that whilst tacking the wind suddenly changed, which caused the vessel to miss stays; and in consequence of there not being sufficient room either to wear ship or veer out cable, the vessel, by the joint

action of the wind and tide was driven on to the rocks.” The nautical assessor (Capt. Johnson), who was present at the enquiries, concurred with both the above findings.

Lectures on Liee Assurance.— We hear that Mr W. A. Thomson, agent for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, will deliver a lecture on the subject of Life Assurance in the Mechanics’ Institute, Lower Hutt, on Monday the 9th inst, when A. Ludlam, Esq, J.P., will occupy the chair. Mr Thomson is also to deliver a lecture on the same subject, at the school room, Wai-nui o-mata on Wednesday the 11th, the chair to be taken on that occasion by J. Grace, Esq , J.P. The lectures are to have special reference to the superior claims of the mutual principle, to be illustrated by diagrams, and to be open to all who choose to attend.

Orphanage Bazaar.— -A bazaar in aid of the Eoman Catholic Orphanage was opened on Monday last, at the Odd Fellows’ Hall. A large stock of articles of substantial or fancy value was exhibited, and found ready purchasers during the several days upon which the bazaar remained open; but the attendance was diminished somewhat on one of these days, by the inclemency of the weather. In consequence of this the hour of final closing was postponed until Thursday evening, when the success of the bazaar was celebrated, and further contribution made to the good object for which it was started, by a dancing party which was pretty numerously attended. Lecture. —One of the most entertaining of that unusually interesting series of lectures now in course at the Presbyterian schoolroom, Willis street, was delivered on Monday night by Mr J. Knowles ; and in a lecture which occupied two hours in delivery, which was so full of interesting facts, keen observations, and shrewd reflection gathered during Mr Knowles’s absence from Hew Zealand, everyone who listened must have gleaned something to add to his stock of information. The subject of the lecture was doubly interesting from the fact that most of those who assembled to hear Mr Knowles narrate his “ reminiscences” after his European and American tour, gathered more to hear from the lips of a fellow-citizen and old colonist of thirty years’ standing, his impression of the changes that time and the forcing civilisation of the age had made in the Mother Country, and how things fare with the people of the British Isles to a colonist’s eyes ; while very many were almost as- curious for information about the “great nation” of the West, with whom our practical acquaintance is gradually becoming more extended. Without wearying his hearers with any of the dry details of guide books, or literary inflation and coloring, Mr Knowles displayed his knowledge of what would be entertaining to a colonial audience, and was rewarded by being listened to with the utmost attention throughout. As we have no space for even the substance of a lecture so full of entertaining and varied matter, we will merely mention one or two facts which struck Mr. Knowles during his stay in England, and which may be interesting to colonists generally. Of course such a well-known person as Mr. Knowles could not be in London without rubbing against Hew Zealand colonists every day, and all repeated the same wish : all were anxious to get back to Hew Zealand, or, to take the text of the lecturer, “It is very pleasant to take a trip home ; but a greater pleasure is in store for you to come back and live here. ’ The other item is so curious in its way as to be worth recording. While in San Francisco in the office of an old Wellingtonian (Mr John Wadej now a prosperous lawyer of that city, a grateful client for whom Mr Wado had gained a case about twelve months before, walked into the room and told the lawyer that ever since he had gained his case for him he had been intending to make him a present. He then asked Mr Wade to step as far as tlio corner with him for a moment or two. When the lawyer returned he did so in a scventy-dollar suit at the countryman’s expense.

The s.s. Bangatira.- At Seager’s foundry a large new boiler intended for the Bangatira has lately been constructed. Its great size and weight prevent its being placed with safety on board the vessel where she at present lies, alongside Pilcher’s wharf, and on Monday a number of men were employed in removing the large thing out of the foundry, along Willis street, and down as far as the breastwork, where an attempt will be made to ship it. The construction of the boiler seems to be in every respect a creditable piece of work, such as few people unacquainted with the character of the work done in Seager’s foundry might expect to see done in Wellington or in any other town in the colony. Amateuk Christy Minstrels.— The Wellington Minstrels intend giving their next entertainment on Monday the 16th inst, and for the benefit of Mrs Lawrence. The public experience of the company’s previous entertainments will,

no doubt, encourage the attendance of a large audience on the occasion. Two other entertainments, at days to be fixed upon —one of the two for the benefit of St. Paul’s School, Thorndon—will bring the season to a close. Wellington Declaimed Land Bill.The Hon Mr Waterhouse, in the debate on Thursday night, agreed to allow progress to be reported with a view to the bill being referred to a Select Committee. He said that the more it was considered the hotter it would be liked. Sudden Death. - On Thursday morning, at a quarter to 11 o’clock, Mr William Mason was found lying on the footpath, at Mr Pagan’s gate, Dixon street. A boy informed Mr Quin, who resides about thirty yards from the place, of what had happened. Mr Quin hastened to the spot, and there met Mr George Hunter, who was coming down the street at the time. Mr Mason was then conveyed to his residence in Quin street, and a messenger vas sent for medical assistance. Dr France came immediately, but life was extinct before his arrival. The deceased had been to post aletter to his daughter m Melbourne, per Alhambra,and wasreturninghome when the sad event took place. Mr Mason was a very old settler, being a resident in this province for some thirty years, and was respected by all who knew him. . He leaves a widow and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. More Chinese. —lt will he seen by our telegrams that two hundred more Chinese have arrived in Otago by a vessel direct from Hong Kong, and that the vessel by which they have arrived—the Guiding Star—has been placed in quarantine, as many as twentyseven deaths having occurred on the passage, while twenty remained on the sick list. An Auckland Free Fight— The scene was changed. It was a road in the Horth. The Otago members occupied positions round the ring, while the gladiators of the Auckland phalanx indulged themselves in “ friendly ’abuse.” Accusations of the carrying out of misanthropic objects by the Superintendent towards the people of the province ; this, with the retorted scorn, being handed back with the addition that such statements came very badly from a place-hunter, who was dangling at the heels of the Government with “information” the very reverse of the opinions of the people, and that “it was a calumny for any member to say that the business of the province had not been fairly administered,” formed prominent objects in the ornature of the rhetoric of the Auckland members. Ultimately the good sense of Mr Wood and Mr Williamson smoothed the turbulence of their more excitable confreres. The Thames Goldeield.— By the arrival of the steamer Keera, we have Auckland files to the 26th ult. The following are the latest telegrams from the | Thames :—The water in the Caledonian is slowly decreasing. The second lift will be fixed early to-morrow, and will no doubt clear the water from the shaft rapidly. Ho change elsewhere. Bendigo Independent have taken out some splendid stone from the El Dorado leader. Upwards of two cwt. of specimens in hand since this day week. Multum-in-Parvo have crushed 112 lbs. of specimens from the new leader, and got ounces melted gold. Junction and Point Bussell are each cleaning up, but the return will be only moderate. Share market : Caledonian, £115; Honpareil, £6105.; All Hations, £6 and upwards : Thames, £23 ; Tookey, £3O. Death oe Mr. Shepard, Coach Proprietor.—The accident which we lately reported as having occurred to Mr. Shepard, the proprietor and owner of the Wanganui and Taranaki line of coaches, proves to have been of a more serious character than was at the time described. Mr. Shepard, we regret to say, died from its effects on Monday morning. Hews of this sad result of the accident was received in Wellington the same morning by telegraph from Wanganui, aud much regret was felt and expressed by the many residents of the city who have, in this province, in other parts of the colony, and in Victoria, been fellow-travellers with Mr. Shepard, and had opportunities of judging of his genial, generous disposition. There are not a few in the colony who will remember Mr. Shepard as driver on the Ballarat and Geelong road, in what are known as the early days' of Victoria as a gold field, and there are more who had made his acquaintance while acting for Cobb & Co. ia Otago, or while driver of the coach between Christchurch and Hokitika. In this island, Mr was the pioneer of coach communication between Wanganui and Taranaki, and it was while in the exercise of his arduous and often dangerous duties on the primitive road between these two places that he me t with the accident which resulted in hig death. Mr Shepard leaves a widow and three of a family, for whom, it is said, he was so far prudent and fortunate as to have made provision by a life assurance policy some months ago. We have not learned precise particulars as to the place to which he was removed after the occur-

rence of the accident, but it is probable that he will be buried in Wanganui. Permissive Bill.— The following is a list of the petitions and number of signatures presented to the House of Bepresentatives in favor of a Permissive Bill. The number of signatures is fully double that which has ever been attached to any other series of petitions on any one subject in this colony From 658 residents of the electoral district of Hokitika, presented by Mr White; 13 inhabitants of Auckland, by Mr Creighton; 79 settlers at Waiapu, by Mr Munro; 518 adult males, Wanganui, by Mr Bryce ; 432 adult females, Wanganui, by Mr Bryce; Presbytery of Wellington, held at Wanganui, by the Hon. Mr Fox; 175 residents at the Hutt, by the Hon. Mr Fitzherbert; 302 females, Christchurch, by Mr Beeves ; 617 inhabitants, Christchurch and neighborhood, by Mr E. Bichardson ; 39 residents, Drury and neighborhood, Mr Clark; 87 residents Papatura and neighborhood, by Mr Clark ; 380 residents Wairarapa Valley, by Hon Mr Fox; 1,603 residents City of Wellington, by Mr Hunter; 54 persons, Turakina and Bangitikei, by Hon Mr Fox; 200 residents Bangitikei and Turakina, by Hon Mr Fox ; 32 female inhabitants, Port Albert, by Mr Clark ; 62 electors and others, of Port Albert, by Mr Clark; 458 residents, Auckland, by Mr Williamson; 1,148 male and 776 female residents of Dunedin, by Mr M‘Glashan ; 661, Taieri, and other places in Otago, by Mr Beid; 31, Vernon, in Hawke’s Bay, by Mr Ormond ; 1, from the Presbytery of Wellington, by Hon Mr Fox; total, 9,328. A bill will be introduced by Mr Creighton, on Wednesday next, to regulate the sale of alchoholic liquors, which it was stated in the House by Mr Fox will be an open question wiffi the Ministry, but to which he will give his cordial support. Mr Hursthouse’s Manuscript. —Mr Charles Hursthouse, a well known Hew Zealand author, is at present residing at Hew Plymouth, and was unfortunate enough the other day to have his house destroyed by fire. The following paragraph occurs in a letter of his to the “ Taranaki Herald” “ Permit me just to say that the burnt M.S. to which you do me the honor to allude, was that of a third edition of my ‘Hew Zealand the embryo Britain of the South.’ In it the labor of some months disappeared in some seconds —but ‘ man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upwards, —and I must begin my work de novo.” Live Stock —Some interesting tables connected Mith the census of the colony have just been published. We quote the figures showing the number of horses, cattle, and sheep, in the different provinces ’.——Horses —Auckland, 11,620; Taranaki, 1,825; Wellington, 11,246; Hawke’s Bay, 4,357; Helson, 4,518 ; Marlborough, 2,646 : Canterbury, 17,654; Westland, 759 ; Otago, 25,804. Cattle — Auckland, 80,443; Taranaki, 7,966; Wellington, 75,202; Hawke’s Bay, 17,485; Helson, 20,602; Marlborough, 8,860; Canterbury, 79,022; Westland, 2,688; Otago, 134,609. Sheep—Auckland, 210,760; Taranaki, 24,281; Wellington, 714,094; Hawke’s Bay, 904,146 ; Helson, 523,558; Marlborough, 604,808; Canterbury, 2,965,70 L; Westland, 4,588 ; Otago, 3,751,445. Wrecks in Hew Zealand. - The Secretary of Customs, Mr Seed, in his annual report of the Marine Department, states that the number of casualties that occurred during the year 1869-70 was 38 ; the aggregate tonnage, 3297; and the number of lives lost, 12. In 1870-1 there were 28 casualties, tonnage 2322, and number of lives lost 28; of these, 18 were caused by the foundering, after collision with the Enterprise, of the steamer Tauranga, in July, 1870. The wreck statistics of each of the two past years show that fewer casualties have happened in these years than during either of the two previous two years. In 1868 69, 33 vessels were wrecked, of 4254 tons, and 28 lives were lost. In 1867-68, 53 vessels of 5514 tons, were wrecked, and 26 lives were lost on our coasts. With a view of preserving an accurate record of all wrecks, and of showing at a glance the localities at which they occurred, Mr Seed has had a wreck chart prepared ; it is modelled on the plan of those that are annually issued by the Board of Trade for the United Kingdom. In addition to the wrecks, it shows also the position of the Hew Zealand lighthouses, and the character of the different lights, whether fixed or revolving, &c., and the distance at which they can be seen. Tort Channel Lighthouse. —ln his report on the Marine Department, the Secretary of Customs says : —The necessity for a light at the entrance of Tory Channel has been urged in previous reports of the Marine Department, and Parliament in its last session voted a sum for erecting this light, and also for placing one on Portland Island ; but to progress has yet been made towards erecting these lighthouses, as the Government gave directions that .they were not to be proceeded with for the present. I trust, however, that the Government will at an early date authorize the Marine Engineer to take steps for erecting the Tory

Channel light, as it has been admittted by competent authorities on all sides that this light is greatly needed for the safe navigation of Cook Strait, and for guiding steamers entering Tory Channel at night. Mr Balfour estimated that the cost of this light would be from £3,000 to £4,000; the annual cost of maintaining it after completion would be £SOO. The cost of placing a light on Portland Island is estimated at from £5,000 to £6,000, and the annual outlay afterwards at about £6OO.

The Pacific Mail Service. —The following is a copy of the “ remarkable ” letter from the Government of New Zealand referred to in a recent Melbourne telegram. Copies of the same letter were sent to the Governments of New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania. It is dated Sept. 2, and signed by Mr Gisborne : —ln regard to the Californian Mail Service, I have the honor to inform you that, pending more vessels being put on the line, and the connections being placed on a more satisfactory footing, the Government of New Zealand, at the request of the contractors for the Californian Mail Service, have agreed to allow the contract steamers arriving at Auckland from San Francisco to proceed to Australia, and that we shall be glad, during the next, four months, to carry mails for your Government by those steamers free of cost. In the course of two months, the Government propose to send to New South Wales a representative to confer with your Government on the whole subject of the Californian Mail Service.

The Intercolonial Conference. —The Melbourne “ Age,” in some remarks on the subject of the Intercolonial conference, says :—“ It is a matter of regret that New Zealand will not be represented, for its Government has shown itself to be more progressive than any other. The proposition for the last conference came from New Zealand, and, disgusted apparently at the lukewarmness with which it was responded to, her statesmen have successfully pursued the course they recommended, without any assistance whatever. They have established a postal service of their own, and obtained the promise of a subsidy from England ; they have succeeded in establishing a direct trade with America in wool and flax, and are completing negotiations with the Government at Washington for the admission of Australian produce on favored terms ; they have resolved to establish a protectorate over the Navigators’ Islands, and have in all their proceedings asserted colonial rights as of equal validity with the Imperial prerogative. They have by their extra-colonial action set an example which, while it shames the past, is likely to stimulate our present Government to take the position which is due to Victoria as the leading colony of the group.”

The Southern Canterbury Railway. —The “Timaru Herald” says :—“ Messrs Allen and Stumbles, the successful tenderers for the railway, arrived in Timaru yesterday for the purpose of arranging preliminaries before commencing their contract. They intended to have commenced on Monday, but in deference to the public wishes have deferred opening ground till Wednesday, which is set apart for a general holiday to celebrate the turning of the first sod. The rumor that the contractors intended to bring in Chinese labor is utterly without foundation.”

Martin’s Bay. —On a recent visit of the steamer Waipara to Big Bay, on the West Coast, a number of miners were found to have returned to the district encouraged by the proximity of the settlement at Martin’s Bay, whence they could obtain provisions. From Big Bay, Jackson’s Bay, and Haast river, miners had been out prospecting on several occasions, and have discovered very good samples of gold for miles back. At Jackson’s Bay they intend going out prospecting again, and are sanguine of success. There seems to be a general feeling prevailing down south among the diggers, that some good fields will turn up soon, more especially about the Blue Biver, between Ai;not Point and the Peringa Biver, as well ak at Jackson’s and Big Bays, but they are all complaining about the Government not taking steps to help them to prospect the country, for the want of assistance in cutting tracks to open it up. The Chinese in Otago. —On Saturday week a postponed Anti-Chinese meeting was held in the school-house, Switzers, Mr Lett, the convener, being voted to the chair. Mr Lett introduced the business of the meeting in a speech descriptive of all the horrors that would ensue to the “ Queen of the colonies” in the southern hemisphere if the influx of the Mongolian hordes was not put a stop to. He summed up by stating that if vigorous steps were not taken for that purpose, the province would be overrun by the heathen Chinee, and European miners would have to “ vacate.” Several short speeches were made, chiefly by Messrs Armstrong and Dean, and the following resolutions were carried :—l. “ That it is highly necessary that we unite with our brother miners throughout the province in petitioning the Legislature of the

colony, now in session, to adopt prompt and certain measures to prevent the future influx of the Chinese.” 2. “ That the petition of the Arrow Miners’ Association just read be adopted, with the following amendment in clause 9. ‘At the same time making such provision as may seem equitable towards those (Chinese) who are at present resident in the country.” 3. “ That a Miners’ Association be estab lished on Switzers.” During the course of the discussion one gentleman remarked “ that it was almostuselesspetitioning, but if the Government didn’t do something to stop the Chinese coming in at once, the best thing would be to take the matter into our own hands.”

A Bluff Levanter Bluffed.-— ln the Resident Magistrates’ Court on Monday, a brusque, military, and continental lookpersonage, of extreme proportions, was charged as being identical with one Block, who had left his creditors in Hobart Town to deplore the loss of some £IO,OOO. Inspector Atcheson produced the description from the Hobart Town Police “ Gazette,” which gave the height, weight, and appearances of the missing man with great minuteness, to all the conditions of which the prisoner tallied so well as to leave little doubt that the right man was in the right place. Physically, the prisoner is a well made man, and in his gait quite justifies that part of the description which describes him as having been a French soldier. Some attempt at deception had been made, the whiskers, described as being full, having been taken off alto gether. Evidence was given as to the correctness of another part of his description, which said that the defaulter spoke broken English, for on Inspector Atcheson announcing to the bench that he expected Detective Propsting in the Alhambra, the prisoner said, in very broken English, “ I dink you are under un large mistake ; I know nutting of you Mr Topstring, Nobstring, Bobstring, or what you call him.” His Worship granted the remand. The prisoner is a member of a firm which, as announced in our telegrams a few days ago, failed in Hobart Town for the amount mentioned above under very suspicious circumstances. Utu. —An evidence characteristic of the Maori trait was given in the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, after the hearing of the case against the two Maoris for stealing fowls. Some patriarchal representatives of the Hutt tribe, fully believing that fowls had been stolen, notwithstanding the tergiversation of the culprits, insisted that Mr Baker, the clerk to the bench, should accept their value in specie, evidently disregarding the fact that the debthad been wiped out by thesentence of the Court. There were other remarkable signs of an innate desire for the furtherance of truth during the hearing of the case, the witness Pitere eliciting the approbation of the Magistrate by his steadfast adherence to the truth in the face of the persistent charges of falsehood hurled at him by his compatriots who occupied the “ wrong box.” Pitere had friends among the dark skins who admired his straightforward conduct as much as the whites.

The San Francisco Mail Route.— On the subject of postal communication 1 with. England and America, the committee of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce have resolved as follows : —That while in the opinion of this chamber the route by Ceylon and Egypt must always be the principal means of postal communicationfor these colonies, especially with the prospective acceleration of speed of the mail steamers, and the shortening of the time employed in the transit of the mails between London and Suez, they are still convinced of the importance to these colonies of the proposed monthly communication with America, and adhere to the resolutions adopted by them in May last, to the effect that “a subsidy should be granted to such line as offers the best guarantee as to time and efficiency, the time being limited to forty-eight days from Melbourne to England as a maximum, and that the dates of departure should be made to alternate with those of the P. and O. Company steamers.” “ That the committee suggest that a reference should be given to such line as should make Mel bourne the terminus, but do not propose to make this a sine qua non of subsidising the service.” They are also of opinion that if a small subsidy would secure to this colony the advantages of regular and rapid communication with Batavia, China, and Japan (not so much as a postal route as for its commercial advantages) it would be very desirable to co-operate with the other colonies in supporting the service proposed to be established by Mr Eraser, on behalf of the Netherlands India Steam Navigation Company.

The Poet Chalmers Bailway. —A walk over the Port Chalmers Bailway line, says the Dunedin “ Star,” presents every day new features of interest. The earth work is completed as far as Burke’s Brewery, and for some distance beyond ; a heavy cutting at Blanket Bay is nearly through, and the tunnels at the Saddle, and at Port Chalmers are being rapidly proceeded with. The embankments have every appearance of having settled down solidly, and all along the line the pitching

necessary to prevent damage from the tidal wash and action of the waves is assuming the appearance of a well-tested sea wall. The stones below high-water mark are fast becoming coated with a vegetable green, and in every case the workmanship commends itself to the eye as being of the best. Very shortly piledriving at the pier will be commenced, and it is intended to be of ample length to permit six or eight vessels to discharge at the same time. There are now very few sections to be let, and judging bv the manner in which the preliminary difficulties have been overcome, we do not anticipate any serious objection to the progress of the work, but expect the line will be open for traffic in nine or ten months. The Flying Squadron. —“ The Cruise Round the World of the Flying Squadron” is the title of a book just published. The author, who only makes himself known by the initials “J. 8,” is condemned by the Melbourne reviewers as having given to the world a work which is vulgar, slip-shod, and turgid in style, but the greatest defect of his work, they say, is the prurient coarseness which pervades its pages, and the gross violations of all proper feeling of which the writer is guilty. “ The fair sex of Sydney fares even worse at his hands than that of Melbourne, and he has an especial dislike to a family of sisters whom he first met at Government House, with ‘their faces powdered and painted, golden hair, fresh from the hands of a Parisian coiffeur, and manners apparently from the Mabille.’ In Tasmania he met some of his Melbourne friends again, and he mentions them more than once by name. At New Zealand some very coarse allusions are made to the behaviour of the married ladies at a ball given at the House of Representatives, Wellington.” In its notice of the book, the Melbourne “ Leader” says : “ It is with a feeling of sorrow mingled with anger that we lay down a book writ ten by a man who seems to possess neither manners, morals, nor education. Our chief wonder is that he ever found a publisher daring enough to publish the production, and to illustrate it witli some gambogelooking sketches of the. principal places at which the squadron touched, and a portrait of Queen Emma. It is difficult to imagine that the British uniform can cover any one with so few of the instincts of a gentleman as J.B. With a little more learning and more poetry and imagination he might yet pick up a precarious livelb hood as a fashion reporter for a New York paper; but his habit of violating the confidence of private life makes him quite unfit for the society of gentlemen, who we would fain hope still constitute the majority of the officers of Her Majesty’s Navy.” North Island Roads. —In a recent number, the “Wakatip Mail” thus refers to the records of the road-work done in the North Island during the recess: — The immense amount of work done for the amount is a useful lesson to the Provincial Council of Otago, and falsifies for once and for ever the charges of extravagance and recklessness hurled at the Fox-Vogel Ministry. Let us for a moment glance at four of the papers quoted in the batch enumerated in a late issue. They contain over a hundred pages and are full of maps. They refer to construction of roads and railways in the North Island. We can only pick a few plums out of such a large, but sound pudding. The Armed Constabulary were enlisted into road-making services, for which they received Is a day extra payment, but any remissness or absence from work was at once punished. So as to secure proper work it was allotted out that “ the labor should be performed by piece,” and officers have to accept their share of the responsibility. The authorities and orders are signed “ D. M'Lean, Defence Minister*,” and show a more intimate acquaintance with works than that displayed. by most Provincial Heads of Departments. It was rather too bad to select the swamps and worst places of road to test the pluck of the men. They fought through cold damp, and rheumatism, and finally conquered. Read that paper, it is numbered D. —No. 1, and our young men will find it not only an instructive, but also an interesting one. Then the department, to find whether the men like?d the work or not; whether there was any disclination or not; as to who had distinguished themselves most, issued an order for a return reply. The report sent in was that “ it was difficult to particularise when all were attentive and zealous, and that no disinclination was likely to be exhibited, as the work was popular with officers and men.” Serious Accidents. —A serious accident occurred to a man named Fredk. Barnes near the Selwyn Railway Station, Canterbury, on Sunday week. He left the station in company with a man named Wilson to return home some two miles away, when he was thrown from his horse, dragged several chains, and his right thigh broken. This, in itself, was bad enough, but not the worst, for the unfortunate man received no assistance until next morning, and thus had to lie unattended all night on the plain. Another accident occurred to a man named Mere-

dith Wilson on Monday afternoon. Wilson, who is working the horse ballast trucks on the Northern line of railway, was getting up on one of the waggons when he slipped and fell on to the plates. One hind wheel of the waggon passed over his body longitudinally, bruising it terribly, but by great good fortune, not breaking any of the bones. After the wheel had passed over his leg, Wilson had the presence of mind to get clear of the plates, and succeeded in so doing though at the loss of the thumb on his left hand. This was cut off short, but Wilson happily escaped further injury, and was at once taken to the hospital, where it is gratifying to know that he is in a favorable state. The mutilation of the leg is necessarily of a frightful character, but nothing serious is apprehended.

Wardens Acting as Auctioneers.— The “ Charleston Herald” of the 23rd says “The sale of the coal mine lately held by John Behan took place yesterday, at the Courthouse, Mr Broad, under instructions from the Crown Lands office, acting as auctioneer. Mr Dwan, auctioneer, entered a protest against Mr Broad selling by auction as being illegal, and handed in auctioneer and business licenses to the amount of £l5O, claiming it as his right to sell, and offering his services. Mr Broad read a section of the act to substantiate his authority, and proceeded to sell the mine, which, after some brisk bidding, was knocked down to Mr M. Scanlon for £ls. There can hardly be a question as to the legality of the sale :in fact, none at all; but it certainly seems a great injustice that men who have to pay such heavy licenses as auctioneers are charged should be debarred of the advantages arising from any sales that may occur, whether under Provincial or General Government management.”

A Paradisiacal Province. —In the Legislative Council, during the discussion on the sale of land to Mr Clarke, the Hon Mr Waterhouse said he was extremely astonished to find, from the remarks of honorable members, that there had been anything like impropriety of conduct on the part of the authorities in the province of Otago. His knowledge of Otago was entirely derived from the representations of his honorable friends in theCouucil,and he had been in the habit of regarding that province as a kind of terrestrial paradise, differing from the original one in the absence of a serpent and probably the great abundance of doves. They had frequently been called upon to admire, and he had joined his honorable friends in admiring, the province of Otago and the proceedings of its inhabitants. He certainly did labor under the impression that there were infinitely greater saints in that province than anywhere else, and he was sorry to awake to the conviction that there were likewise greater sinners there. It had been said rather cynically that there was within us all a latent feeling of satisfaction atthemisfortunesof our friends, and he might say that it was not with feelings of unmitigated regret that he heard their friends in the province of Otago were not free from earthly failings.

New Zealand Sheep. —Our readers will doubtless recollect that upon her first trip from Port Chalmers to San Francisco, the p.s. Nevada had on board a few longwooled sheep of a very superior quality, which were exported by Messrs Cameron and Goodowyn with a view to opening up a market in California for the sale of firstclass New Zealand sheep. Those gentlemen have returned recently from California, and the “ Otago Daily Times ” learns that their venture has been a successful one. All the sheep were landed safely, and disposed of at satisfactory prices. Messrs Cameron and Goodowyn found that some sheep of the same breed as theirs had been imported from Canada and England ; but they were much inferior to the New Zealand sheep. On her return trip to California, the Nebraska conveyed 59 pure bred Leicesters—--44 rams and 15 ewes—which Messrs Cameron and Goodowyn have purchased from the New Zealand and Australian Land Company. These are the direct progeny of imported sheep, selected from Lord Polworth’s and other celebrated flocks in Scotland, and have been taken from the stud flock of Leicesters on the Clydevale run, which are said to be the best in New Zealand, their wool fetching the highest prices in the London market. They have been purchased at a high price, and, it is estimated, will cost over £I2OO before they are landed in San Francisco. 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 ellicienily 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 Pond Street, London, and all Chemists. Note —Savory & Moore’s name and trade mark on each bottle. April 22 1871. 52 w.

Diocesan Synod— The Synod met on Monday. Present: The President Clergy— Archdeacon Stock. Revs. St. Hill, Faneourt, Knell, Harvey; Laity-Messrs. Bannatyne,Hunter, Moore, Pearce, Crawford, Braithwaite, Barraud, Buchanan, Allan. The President opened the proceedings with prayer. Moved by Rev. H. W. St. Hill, seconded by Bev. 1. Pancourt, “ That in all churches one offertory a year be given to the Maori Mission.” —carried. Moved by C. D. Barraud, Esq., seconded by Bev. B. W. Harvey, <• That the Synod recommend the establishment of the offertory in all churches of the diocese.”—carried. The thanks of the Synod were given to Bishop Abraham for a large gift of books to the Diocesan Library. The Synod recommended that the special collections authorized by the Synod should be made at fixed times in all churches of the Diocese. The President closed the session with the benediction. St. Stephen’s Chukch, Marton.— The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of St. Stephen’s, Marton, will be performed by the Bishop of Wellington, on Thursday, the 26th instant. There will be a soiree in the evening at the Town Hall, where the Bishop will preach. Maori .Ploughmen.— There was a ploughing match at Aramoho last .week, in which there were several Maori competitors. Of the result, so far as the native ploughmen were concerned, the Wanganui “ Herald ” says The Maoris surprised everyone but themselves. They appeared as thoroughly at home as the oldest ploughman in the district. Their ploughing was not only good, but it excelled that of the average European. Their wives and relations were squatted on the grass, looking with beaming faces on the new vocation which had been found for their “ young men,” and doubtless thinking of the fun and enjoyment they would have over the prize money. A little Maori boy, not more than twelve years of age, held the plough as if he had been “ to the manner bred.” His juvenile efforts seemed to strike the Maoris themselves with admiration ; one. well-known chief remarking in ecstatic strains—- “ Kapai the piccaninny for the next year,” from which we gathered that this match is not to end here, but that the natives are looking forward to future contests. We consider this is the greatest victory ever yet achieved over the natives, if it be followed up, and we hope the Government will see the advantage from this beginning of giving the same encouragement annually. Fungus Gathering. When Mr. Chew Chong first arrived in Few Plymouth, says the Taranaki “Herald,” it was said that he would be able to obtain but little fungus, as it would not pay to gather. It appears, however, that persons were mistaken in their surmises, for, as-it now turns out, fungus gathering is likely to prove a profitable industry for some time to come. We learn that Mr. Chong paid away on Saturday last, between £6O and £7O for the fungus that was brought into town, and he was informed that large quantities would be in during the week. From what we can gather respecting the collecting of fungus, we learn that in bush clearings it is very plentiful, and a man can gather from two to five sacks full in a day. The price paid for it is six shillings the sack, so the wages made is at the rate of from 12s. to 30s. per day. The Maoris are the principal parties who have devoted their attention to gathering it at present; but Europeans, seeing the profitable nature of the industry, are also busy at work collecting it. The fungus required is said to thrive well on the fallen tawa tree. Wellington Baces. —The check that has occurred to the well-intentioned plan of reviving our annual races seems to have been occasioned partly by the laches of the old Wellington Jockey Club in not having accounts of money subscribed properly audited, and the subscribers properly informed of the result No one, as far as we know, supposes or wishes to infer that there is anything wrong. Indeed, we believe that the treasurer is out of pocket. But people when asked to subscribe again are found by those who solicit them to have (not unnaturally) old fashioned ideas on the subject. We are glad to learn that steps are about to be taken to get over this difficulty, and probably to get a new club formed. As we are now in October, no time should be lost if a race meeting is to be held on the Wellington race course this season. Acclimatisation. —At a meeting of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, held last week, the Curator reported that an addition had been made to two of the aviaries, and an enclosure suitable for water-fowl commenced. About 000 trout have been hatched out artificially in the boxes ; at present only about 100 young fish have made their appearance in the natural spawning races. Applications had been received from members for about 600 of the young trout, contingent on their heing sold at the price of £5 per 100. The 600 include 100 fish to be liberated by the society in Lake Forsythe, and 100 in the Horatio River; his Honor the

Superintendent having offered to be at the expense of the removal of the former, and Mr. S. Bealey of the latter. _ Mr. Bealey has also bespoke 100 fish, which he proposes liberating in Lake Ellesmere. Strange Verdict. —The Dunedin papers lately mentioned the death of a Maori at the Heads under circumstances calling for investigation. The body was disinterred, a post mortem examination made, and the jury, comprising Europeans and others, found a verdict of “Accidental death through burning, accelerated by neglect of a Mr Parry and Dr Goodsir, together with Maori friends of deceased.” Pedestrianism. — We notice that a match has been made between J. G. Harris and a ped of local celebrity on the West Coast, named Hafey, for £IOO a-side, the local man receiving seven yards in a hundred. Betting is in favor of Harris winning the match.