News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 43, 18 November 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

The Pboeogation-.— The prorogation of Thursday, whether from the many delays and disappointments caused by the rupture between the Houses, was an exceedingly tame affair. There were fewer ladies within the chamber, fewer strangers in the gallery, fewer small boys following the military band, and considerably fewer in the interest attaching to the annual display of vice regal pomp. Some formal business having been transacted in the Legislative Council Chamber, preparations were made for receiving his Excellency the Governor, and at one o clock the Aide-de-Camp, Captain Pitt, announced Sir George Bowen’s arrival within the building. The ladies and all present having risen, his Excellency took his seat in the Speaker’s chair. The members of the other House having been summoned, the bills for assent were read out by the Clerk of the Legislative. Council,- the Clerk of Parliaments (Major Campbell) uttering the formal words necessary to give validity to the measures over which had been spent so much of the vapid talk, the strong reasoning, the close logic, the malignant vituperation, and the characteristic humor of the different members composing our Parliament of New Zealand. The speech having been read by his Excellency the transaction of the day was completed. The Armed Constabulary formed the guard of hoDor on. the occasion, the Artillery Band supplying music appropriate to an event which yras altogether exceedingly flat. t . The Brothers Judd. —No tidings of these unfortunate men have yet come, to hand. There is now but one solution to the matter, and that is, that they and their boat have been swept out to sea. Should this be the case it may reasonably be on eluded that all hope of recoverin g the bodies is gone for ever, though accident or further searching may discover the boat on some part of the coast outside the Heads. For the sake of the relatives of the brothers it is to be desired that something definite may become known so as to dissipate the mysterious circumstances surrounding this melancholy affair. The Late Mr Sinclair. —The . Inquest.—An inquest was held at Wainuiomata on Monday last, before Dr Wilford and a respectable jury, upon view of the body of Hugh Sinclair, an old and much respected settler of the Valley. Dr Norris had been summoned from town, to make an examination of the body, as there was considerable doubt as to what

could have caused the death of deceased, it being evident that deceased had not fallen from his horse, as was at first supposed, from his being found some little distance from the road, lying in a perfectly natural position, without so much as a scratch or bruise about him, or even dirt from the road upou his clothes, leading those who found him to suppose that, feeling unwell, he had descended from his horse and lain himself down in a sheltered spot for a time, where he had expired. The evidence brought before the jury substantiated this sujiposition, more especially the medical evidence, and m accordance therewith the jury brought in a verdict of “ Died from congestion of the brain.” Deceased had been subject for the last year or two to severe attacks of giddiness, and seldom went from home alone. Mr Hugh Sinclair s death will be regretted by a large circle of friends, as he was a very old and wellknown settler ; in fact, with one or two exceptions, the oldest in the neighborhood of Wellington, having arrived, here with J. 0. Crawford, Esq., ILM., in a small coaster from Sydney in 1839, two months before the arrival of the Aurora, January 1840 ; and at the time of his death having completed, to within three days, a residence of 32 years of uninterrupted enc.rgy and exertion as a settler in the province of Wellington, from which he was only absent during a seven months’ stay in Chatham Islands during that period. The Late Mr John llay. —The remains of the late Mr John Hay have, in accordance with the wishes of the friends of the deceased gentleman, been removed to Dunedin for interment. Mrs Hay and her two children were passengers by the steamer Phoebe, which left for the South on Wednesday night. One of Mr Hay s brothers was on his way hither by the Tararua, but was advised to remain at Lyttelton, for the purpose of meeting his bereaved relatives. Accident at Carterton. News reached town yesterday afternoon that a son of Mr Wise of Carterton, was killed by the falling of a tree. The Legislative Council.— After a series of adjournments, the Legislative Council finally adjourned on Wednesday night at 10 o’clock', till next morning. This adjournment was made shortly after the receipt of the message from the Lower House containing the resolutions of that House to the several bills which had been amended. During the day the Hon the Speaker announced that 103 bills had been introduced during the session. Of these 75 had passed both Houses, 21 had lapsed, and 7 were then pending ; 67 of these had already been assented to. Besides these, four private bills have been introduced. The Wanganui Settlers Compensation Bill, which had passed the Lower House on the previous day, was not proceeded

with. A Dead Lock. —The Immigration and Public Works Bill dragged its slow length from House to House for a period of five hours on Wednesday. The amendments made by the Legislative Council having been transmitted to the Lower House, which met at twelve o’clock, were at once disagreed to, and managers appointed. Adjournments of the House took place every half hour for an hour or two, and eventually, there being no hope, of an agreement, the Houses adjourned till halfpast seven. By that time a compromise had been effected, the most successful point in the negotiations being theinsertion of the clauses relating to the water supply for the goldfields. The clauses relating to the branch railways the Legislative Council could not be induced to reinstate in the bill, and they had to be abandoned by the Lower House. The method of security for the construction of the other lines was changed to the imposition of direct taxation in those districts where the land fund was not sufficient to coyer tlie outlay, the mode. of applying it being left open to the districts themselves. Mr Vogel intimated that he hoped next session to be able to renew the legislation on the subject, and with those amendments the bill became law. A lengthened debate took place on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill, the members of the opposite sides of the House again measuring swords. Mr Pox, by some brilliant repartee, laughed the Opposition to scorn. Mr Gillies and Mr Bolleston were very bitter in their denunciations of the Government and their measures, but their speeches were received as the ebullitions of disappointed men. Of Mr Stafford, Mr Fox said that the country had now become fully alive to the fact that he was absolutely a sham, without any hope of ever again rising to power. The delivery of the speeches on both, sides occupied about three hours in delivery, and at eleven o clock the House adjourned. Parliamentary Furniture .—Previous to closing the business of the House the Speaker inquired of the Government what they intended to do with the furniture of the House, suggesting that it should be placed in the charge of sorne person to be responsible, for its forthcoming at the next session. The advisability of such a precaution was very necessary, many members com*

plaining of the animal outlay on this head, nobody being able to answer the question as to what became of the furniture used in past sessions, which, as one member said, disappeared in a mysterious way never to re-appear. A suggestion, which will very likely be acted upon, was that the property should be vested in the Speaker of the House, s'o as to save the country the expense of a new outfit for the next session. New Zealand Coal.—Mr John Kebbell supplies us with the following particulars of trials of coal at Messrs Kebbell’s mill: —I have been obliged to refer back to past trials for a comparison, as the engine was doing more work at the time of experiments in 1860 than in 1871, when the Collingwood and Grey coal were experimented on. Compare English coal in 1869 and 1871. In 1869 :—ln each case‘half a ton was accurately weighed. English steam coal supposed to be and looked like Hartley lasted 3 hours 35 minutes ; rapid generation of steam if required. Newcastle, N.S.W. lasted (114 lb. waste) 3 hours 50 minutes, Bay of Islands (28 lb. waste pure clinker) 4 hours 20 minutes. The cdinker of this coal injures the bars as bad as South Wales coal of England ; otherwise a good steam coal with fiveeighth spaces between bars. In 1871: English coal the same ns above lasted 4 hours 25 minutes; clinker and waste about the same as N.S.W\ above. Ist trial of Collingwood lasted 4 hours 55 minutes ; 2nd ditto, 5 hours. This coal cokes sufficiently only to prevent it running through the bars, requires no further attention than to put on coal to keep the bars covered ; clinker and waste similar to N.S.W. G rey coal (I could only get one half ton) lasted 5 hours 5 minutes. Ti lis coal would make the purest coke, as the waste and clinker were practically nil. I used to be well acquainted with the Northumberland and Durham coal in England, and can only compare it with the celebrated Tanfield Moor and Lambtan scams, and consider it not inferior. In our furnaces it was found rather objectionable on account of its coking qualities : it required attention to break up the surface to allow sufficient air to pass, but where a stoker is always on watch the objection vanishes. Thames Goldfields.—On Saturday, Mr Charles O'Neill, M.H.R., and Mr Warraoll, J.P., Thames, had an interview with the Hon Colonial Treasurer, Mr Vogel, in reference to the pressing requirements at Grahamstown and Shortland, as shown in a petition of 2,500 residents, presented lately to Parliament by Mr O'Neill. The Colonial Treasurer explained that,' in the event of the Government obtaining the foreshore from the natives, it would be handed over as an endowment—while the local boards would ho entitled to a fair proportion of the funds set apart for Highway purposes, and that the Government would give their best attention to the subject of advancing the Goldfields by water supply. Messrs O'Neill and Warmoll thanked Mr Vogel and withdrew.

Accident.—Mr Thomas Bould, of the Junction Hotel, Pahautanui, was driving his trap home from Wellington on Friday evening last, and was within a few yards of his own door, when some young cattle grazing by the way side frightened his horse, which jumped aside, precipitating Mr Bould, and his sister-in-law and two young children who were with him, into a deep ditch by the side of the road, the loaded trap, horse, &c., falling over on the top of them. Assistance was promptly rendered and they were extracted from their perilous position. Mr Bould was found to be considerably bruised and shaken, but his sister in law and the children, by almost a miracle, escaped uninjured. Hop Growing.—The adaptability of tho West Coast for the growth of hops is now being tested by Mr W. Kortegast, brewer, who has set over three thousand hop plants in some ground near the Cricket Ground, Hokitika. St Peter’s Church Organ Fund.— We understand that the gross receipts of the twelve entertainments given in aid of this fund have amounted to £156 19s 9d, which, after paying expenses, will leave the handsome balance for the organ fund of £l4l 11s 6d. MAFA VILLA COCOA.—No breakfast table is complete without this delicious beverage.—The “ Globe” says : —“ Various importers and manufacturers have attempted to attain a reputation for their prepared Cocoas, but we doubt whether any thorough success has been achieved until Messrs Taylor Brothers discovered the extraordinary 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,

A New Telegraph Proposal.—The formation of a new line of telegraph for establishing communication direct from Mel bourne to Europe is proposed. The proposal is to lay a submarine cable from Cape Otway to King George’s Sound, West Australia ; to take up the communication thence by land lines to a point on the west coast of that colony at or near Champion Bay or Cape Cuvier, as may be found most suitable, and from thence by submarine cable to Java Head, connecting Singapore for the present bv the existing communication between Batavia and Singapore, but ultimately by another cable direct from Java Head to Penang, joining there the cable and land system of India and Europe. The proposal has been submitted to the Victorian Government, but in the event of their declining to take up the matter, the promoter, Mr J. C. Eleming, intimates that a company, to he known as the “ Anglo-Victorian Submarine Telegraph Company,” with a capital of £600.000, would be projected in London to carry out the work.

The Collision Between the ps. Nevada and A. H. Badger.—A Sydney telegram of October 26th reports : —The Nevada has given security for £SOOO, pending the result of the action brought against her in the Admiralty Court by the agents of the A. H. Badger. The evidence disclosed great inhumanity on the part of the mate, who was in charge of the Nevada at the time of the accident. Several passengers deposed to hearing cries for help from the sinking vessel as the Nevada steamed away without offer ing the slightest assistance. Canterbury.—By the s.s. Wellington we have received our usual files of papers up to the 11th instant. On Friday last an earthquake of brief duration, but tolerable strength, was felt in Christchurch at about ten o’clock. The AgriculturaLshow was a great success. The amount of money taken at the gates on Thursday (£337), was £3O iu excess of last year, which in its turn was £SO in excess of the amount taken at the 1869 show. The exhibits were 583, as compared with 505 last year, and 397 in 1869. These facts are very gratifying proofs of the steady progress made by the Association, both in exhibits and public patrouage. The s.s. Taranaki, with the southern portion of the San Francisco mail, arrived at Lyttelton on Friday night last, at a quarter to 9. The mail’was sent through to Christchurch by special train.. The Excelsior Minstrels were performing at the Music Hall, and were drawing full houses.

Libelling a Committee.—The Hokitika Hospital Committee have been in a quandary as to whether they should proceed with an action for libel against the proprietor of the “West Coast Times.” At a recent meeting of the Committee, Mr Bouar said that the charge contained in the article was still not apologised for, and so long as such was the case a great stigma remained on the Committee. He thought that proceedings should be commenced and carried out to the end. Mr Ingram said that if some’of the Committee would wait on Mr Klein and ask for an apology, he would perhaps give one. He would ask who was to pay the cost of the prosecution ? For himself, he would not contribute anything towards defraying the expenses of the proceedings. Those who were inclined to carry them on could do what they thought proper for themselves. Mr Kenny moved, “ that instructions be given to Mr Button to proceed with a criminal action against Mr Klein, or the editor, or responsible person ; to be carried out in the name of Mr J. A Bonar, the President.” Mr Preshaw seconded the motion, which was carried without discussion. The Kecent Affray at WhangaPOUA. —Messrs M'Cormick and M'Kechnie furnish to the “ Southern Cross” the following particulars of the affray which had arisen during some riotous proceedings at Whangapoua It appears that Mr Thomas Craig has proceeded to Whangapoua, taking with him from 20 to 30 men, with the avowed object of forcibly seizing all logs of timber he may find there, regardless of ownership. In attempting to carry out this illegal purpose one of his men has been seriously, if not mortally, wounded. According to Mr Craig’s own statement, we learn, the man was wounded whilst boarding a raft of timber in possession of Mr Harris’s men, in order to take forcible possession of it. To his other force Mr Craig has added, it is stated, some 60 natives, and he con tinues, unchecked, Lis riotous and unlawful proceedings. The constables at Coromandel are unable to keep the peace or to arrest the offenders. Mr Harris has written twice to the [Resident Magistrate there respecting the state of affairs, and the [Resident Magistrate says that two constables cannot restrain some 100 men, and that he can do nothing. The Inspector of Police has been appealed to to protect both life and property[ It will be seen what steps he will consider it his duty to take to restrain these men, and put a stop to the present state of affairs at Whangapoua. We feel persuaded that, if they continue much longer as they are, there will be more than one life lost, be*

sides great destruction of property.—By the steamer Phoebe we have Thames papers, which give the following additional particulars : —The Thames “Advertiser” says: By the Lalla llookh, from Coromandel, we learn that the “battle of the logs” has not been resumed at Whangapoua, and the parties will probably have anothei tussel in the courts of law before renewing the combat at the null. The man who was stabbed with the boat book is recovering. He is now out of danger, but has had a narrow escape. Paora Matutaere, of Coromandel, who had gone over in command of a detachment of natives, has returned defeated. The bargain with the natives was, that they were to be paid if the logs w ere delivered at Craig’s mill, bub as this was not done, they only had kai and waipiro. The Ngatiporou, who were mustered from Kennedy’s Bay to assist Craig’s party, have also gone heme. ITawk es’ Bay.—According to allawkes’ Bay contemporary, the export of live stock from Port Ahuriri during the month of October com prised ] 20 head cattle and 730 sheep. The Customs He venue collected at PortAhuriri during themonth ending 31st October amounted to £1,482 14s 4d, (including pilotage). [Rangitikei.—Match between two Cavalry Corps. —On Thursday week, the Turakina troop met the Alfred troop to fire off a long contemplated carbine match under the following conditions : —lO men on each side, 5 shots at 150 yards, standing ; 5 shots at 200 yards, any position ; 5 shots at 250 yards, any position. The new range of the Alfred troop, formed at their own expense, looked so inviting that even a tyro in shooting would imagine that he could not fail to hit, but the result proved otherwise, even former district representatives making the worst scores. The firing was commenced by the Turakinas, and proceeded so rapidly that many visitors arrived on the ground too late to watch the progress of their respective champions. Before 3o’clock the Mackarels, the nom dc querre of the Alfred troop, were declared the victors by 45 points, the totals being, Alfred troop, 313, average per man 34 3 10; Turakina troop, 298, do, 29 4-5. After the match all repaired to a dinner at Mr G. Howe’s Rangitikei Hotel, where a few hours were pleasantly spent till it- was time for those who had to go to Turakina to be travelling homewards. Thus ended one of those pleasant days which helps to make voluning so popular, which encourage men to practise shooting more than anything else, and which foster that esprit do corps which when once gained will ensure the undertaking, if necessary, of the most arduous and perilous duties without even a murmur from the men. Entertainment. —At the entertainment given in the Ghuznee-street schoolroom on Monday night, for the benefit of St. Peter’s Church organ fund, the Yen. Archdeacon Stock presided. The entertainment, which was the last of the series, was very numerously attended, the room being thoroughly crowded.

The Wellington Christys. —We are pleased to notice by an advertisement in another column that this talented company appear again in public on Tuesday evening, in aid of a charitable institution, viz, St. Paul’s School, Thorndon. The Christy’s have now been in existence some seven months, and during that time they have given four concerts —three being in aid of local charities, and one complimentary benefit to their former conductor — the whole of which have given the greatest satisfaction to all who have witnessed their endeavors to please. In a place like Wellington, where musical talent is at a premium, we.think the Christ3 r ’s ought to receive every support, more especially wlieu we take into consideration the laudable objects to which the proceeds of their entertainments are devoted. We are requested to state that seats may be secured on application at the Hall from ten o’clock on the day of the performance, and that tickets may be obtained at Messrs W. Lyon’s, H. Blundell’s, 11. Burretb’s, P. Laing’s, W. Berger’s, and H. F. Logan’s. We feel sure the kindness of the Christys will be appreciated by a bumper bouse on Tuesday evening, when an entirely new programme is to be presented and a laughable farce produced.

Geography of New Zealand. —Mr G. Willmer, of Christchurch, has just added one more to the list of elementary treaties on the geography of New Zealand. It is described by the “ Lyttelton Times” as compact, simple, and complete, so far as it goes, and as containing a great deal of information in a small compass, at a moderate cost.

Akamaho Light Horse.—The pleasing ceremony of presenting to this corps a flag, which had been got up and worked into shape by the ladies of Wanganui and its neighborhood, took place on Saturday week. The presentation was made by Mrs T. F. M'Donogh. Capt. Edward Daniells returned thanks on behalf of the corps, after which a hearty cheer was given for the lady donors. The flag has a deep white border, with blue ground, and the letters A.L.H.,, with a crown over them, raised m centre.

Agricultural.—From Otago files we learn that the crops in the Wakatip district are this year reported to be looking better than ever, and an abundant harvest is anticipated. The great fault is the almost general absence of green fodder crops for cattle. With respect to the state of the crops in the Tokomairiro district the local paper says : —The crops are, in some sheltered districts, looking well and forward; but in more open places, and where the land is more naturally wet and cold, they are not so promising as could be desired. The early crops are in most cases the best this season. Naher.—We notice in the manifest of the Saucy Lass, which vessel sailed from Napier for Auckland on Wednesday last, eighty boxes of Napier soap for the Auckland market, from the manufactory of Messrs Neal and Close. The Pace for the Canterbury Cup. The following description of this event is given by tho “Lyttelton Times” iu its report of the races : —After one false start Mr Campbell despatched both Peeress and Knottingley on very even terms, the old horse being the first to show in front, going past the stand slightly in advance of tbe mare. No alteration of this order of running took place until the mile-post was reached, when the mare went up and took the horse’s place as leader, keeping it to the half-mile post. Here they again exchanged places, coming down the straight at a great pace, M'Glashan riding the mare all he knew to get to the front; she, gamely answering every call, drew upon the old horse inside the rails, and just caught his nose as they passed the judge’s chair, who declared it a dead heat. Time : 4min 27secs. A protest was entered againstKnotfingley for having jostled tho Peeress, but it was not allowed b\ r tho stewards. At the fall of the flag for the deciding heat, Peeress at once cut out the running at her best pace, going past the stand several lengths in advance of her opponent, who exerted all his powers to catch her ; up the long reach, they went in the same order, and along the top and round the corner, the mare rather increasing than diminishing the gap between them, eventually winning by several lengths, the fastest run race ever witnessed on the Christchurch course. Time : 4m in 13see. Statistics of the Auckland Goldfields. —Mr Warwick Weston lias furnished the Auckland papers with certain returns relative to the goldfields, the moral of which deserves notice. They contain a statement of every ounce of gold reported as having been yieldedfrom the crushings of every claim at the Thames and Coromandel during the period between the Ist January and the 30th September of tho present year, namely, an aggregate of 285,0200 z 18 dwt. They also contain a statement of every ounce of gold purchased by the banks during the same period, namely, 357,1540 z 8 dwt, and a comparison of the results is in the highest degree instructive. From the returns it appears that no less a quantity 62,1330 z Bdwt, have been purchased during the nine months which have never been reported as passing through a battery. But Mr Weston makes an allowance of tailings and small specimens crushed at private batteries, for which no returns may possibly have been made. For such yield there is allowed what must be regarded as a liberal margin—viz, 30,0000 z, in nine months—and still there remain 32,13 ; 30z, unaccounted for. The “Herald” asks: Where has this gold come from?. It has been purchased, and has passed through the Banks, bub so far as we can find it lias never passed through the batteries. Here we have upwards of 30,0000 z of gold over the origin of which there haugs a heavy cloud of mystery. That it has been secretly extracted from the quartz is manifest; but whence came the quartz? If it came legitimately from the claims it must have passed through the batteries and been entered in their returns. If it came to light in other way wc should no longer wonder that so many claims have becu unprofitable worked. The Next Governor for New Zealand. —It would be seen from the telegraphic summary of the Suez mail that Lord Bury is named as the next Governor of New Zealand. The following particulars from “ Men of the Time ” will be of interest:—■“ Bury (Viscount), tbe liightHon William Coutts Keppel, son of the Earl of Albemarle, born in 1832, and educated at Eton; entered the Scots Fusilier Guards in 1849, and was private secretary to Lord John [Russell in 1850 1. He afterwards went to India as aide-de-camp to the late Lord F. Fitz-Clarence, but returned home on sick leave, and retired from the army. In December, 1854, he was nominated Civil Secretary and Superintendent General of Indian affairs for the province of Canada; entered Parliament in 1857, was appointed Treasurer of the lioyal Household on the return of Lord Palmerston to office in 1859; and first sat for Norwich, as a Liberal. On taking office in 1859, his reelection was declared void. In November, 1860, be was elected for the Wick district of Burghs, which he ceased to represent at the general election of 1865, when he

was a defeated candidate for Dover. Lord Bury, who is married to a daughter of bir Allen N. M’Nab, BarU is the author of “The Exodus of the Western Nations, “A Deport on the Condition of the Indians of British America,” and other political and historical papers. He has taken an active part in promoting the volunteer movement, is Lieut-Colonel of the Civil Service Regiment of Volunteers and was sworn a Privy Councillor in 1859. The Late Bishop Patteson.— A correspondent of the “ Thames Guardian'’ narrates the following as an incident of the life of Bishop Patteson In 1862 the late much lamented Bishop Patteson visited Sydney. While there Sir William Manning, Q.C., formerly Solicitor-Gfeueral IST S.W., said in my presence that when Bishop Selwyn visited England in 1855 he called on his brother Collegian, Judge Patteson, in Devonshire, and entered into adetailed account of tbedegraded condition of the savages of the South Sea Islands. The judge’s son, who was present, listened most attentively to every word uttered fly the Bishop, and at the conclusion of the conversation earnestly offered his services for the work ot the mission. Both his father and the Bishop strenuously opposed, but ne was not to be turned from it. Suddenly he made up his mind, and ultimately an unwilling consent was given by his father. Bishop Selwyn placed before him all the frightful perils he would in all likelihood have to encounter, but they only seemed to render his deter mi nation the greater. He came out with Bishop Selwyn on his return to New Zealand, and from the time of his advent to the day he met with an untimely death, we all know with what noble self-denial he performed his self-imposed duties. Thames Goldfield Water Supply.— Among the plans and reports laid upon the table of the House ef Representatives this session are the plans and report for a supply of water on the Thames Gold-, fields, prepared by Mr John James O’Neill, C.E., which reflect the highest credit on this gentleman for the care and skill he has bestowed in their preparation. One of the plans show's a flumed race started at a point on the Moanatairi ’creek, five hundred feet above the level of the sea, and carried at a gradient of about five feet in the mile to the head waters of the Kaneranga Creek, a distance over forty miles. The other plan shews a race starting from the same creek, at one hundred and thirty two feet above the sea level, and topping the Kaneranga Creek at a point about twelve miles from the starting point. Both races will contain forty head of water, and when it is considered, from the able report of Mr Blackett, that a sufficient water supply will reduce the cost of crushing about fifty per cent the advantages of such a supply to the Thames Goldfields cannot be over estimated. The plans are accompanied by detailed drawings and longitudinal cross sections of the whole line, which are marked off with pegs at every hundred feet. The cost of the first or high level line is £97,772 9d, and the second or low level line, at £29,603 18s. New Zealand Flax. -—The position now held by this fibre in the home market may, to a certain extent, be inferred from the fact that the leading Dundee newspaper considers it necessary to obtain daily quotations of prices, by telegram, from London. An article which appeared in the “ Lyttelton Times some months ago, on the desirability of the Canterbury Flax Association employing an agent in Great Britain, is quoted by the journal referred to above in its issue of September 14. Wesleyan Methodist Church.— 1 lie annual assembly of the Wesleyan ministers stationed in the southern districts of New Zealand is at present holding its Bession in Christchurch. The Monday session opened at 9 30 a.m. with prayer by the Rev J. Aldred, after which the ordinary business of the district meeting was proceeded with. There had been no deaths among the ministers in the district during the year, and the usual questions as to ministerial character, doctrine, and discipline were then asked severally concerning each minister in the district. The probationers were also engaged during the day in the preparation of examination papers on the Greek Tastament and theology. The Christchurch Circuit requested an additional minister. A minister was also requested for the Q,ueenstown district, and it was agreed to occupy that station as soon as possible. The stations for the ensuing year were considered, but the sheet was not concluded when the session closed at 5.30 p.m. Mining Speculators in Auckland. — We extract the following passages with reference to the morality of the Auckland mining speculators from an article in the same journal : —“ The disclosures which have lately been made in our law courts have failed to impress those who have given the subject a thought that mining morality in this province is at a very low ebb. The miniDg cases which have come before the Supreme Court in both its civil and criminal jurisdiction, as also those which the inferior courts have been called on to deal with, show a state of things in connection with mining transations than

which nothing can be more unsatisfactory. they have lately come before the public, there is so much so thoroughly disreputable, and so infested with barefaced chicanery in all the surroundings of the cases, that those whose business draws them to the arenas of our Law Courts cannot but be astounded at the mendacity by which iniquitious demands are sought to be substantiated, or demands just in faceoftliem, and righteous in their every outline, are resisted by an amount of hard swearing, which must always paralyse the pen of a judge who has to take down the evidence, as it must utterly shock the feelings of jurymen who are compelled to listen to it.”

Drowned. —The death by drowning of Mr John B. Luscombe, at Quartzville, near Cromwell, on tbe 4th instant, cast a gloom over the district, in which he was well known and highly respected. The deceased had gone into Cromwell on that day to transact some business, and on returning homewards in the evening he called at the house of a friend, by whom he was directed to take care of the water race 'which was close by. Some time afterwards the owner of the hotel near to the race noticing that the water flowed on to the road —an unusual occurrence—went to ascertain the cause, and discovered the lifeless body of the deceased laying in the race. From the traces left on the spot where he fell in, it appears that he must have stumbled into the race, his head coming into contact with a stone or hard gravel, thus stunning him. The deceased was thirty-seven years of age, a native of Chudleigh, Devonshire, and leaves a wife and five children to mourn their loss. Fatal Accident. Fears are entertained that a young man, named Alexander Cumming, who has been for some time engaged in bringing over cattle to Hokitika to Christchurch, has been drowned in the Teremakau. He came on with another man, and reached the Taipo last Tuesday. There he remained, while his companion went on, who, finding that Cumming did not overtake him, went back, and then ascertained that Cumming had left shortly after. It is supposed that he attempted to ford the Teremakau, and was drowned. A search has since been made for the body, but no information of its recovery had reached town up to the time of our going to press. Sudden Death.— An awfully sudden death occurred at Murray Creek, Nelson province on 2nd November. A man named George Howe Warr, a storeman, in the employ of Messrs Henderson and Anderson, at Murray Creek, died in the store -n that day, after only a few moments warning. The deceased had just had tea, and as he stood up from the table he was seized with a violent fit of coughing. He put his hand to his breast, and staggered towards the door, spitting blood as he went, and be dropped dead as he reached the doorway. The deceased was an old resident of the Inangahua, having lived in the vicinity since !866. He was 34 years of age, and a native of Kent, England. Another Nugget. —The same party of miners at the Greenstone who picked up, a few days ago, a nugget weighing over 670 z, have fossicked out another in their claim weighing 20oz. They endeavored to keep their good fortune “ dark,” fearing the inconvenience of a rush, but it was impossible to conceal it for any prolonged time, and the news having spread, the dreaded rush has taken place. Claims have been pegged off in the locality much to the disgust of the miners on the spot, and also of those who have erected buildings and planted gardens.

Salmon in the Clutha.- A few days ago, a correspondent of a Dunedin paper telegraphed that salmon had been seen in tbe Clutha. Thelocal paper has a paragraph on the subject, but judging by it, much reliance cannot be placed on the information given. The “Argus” says: —We are informed of good authority that some half dozen salmon, or perhaps brown trout, were seen in the river Clutha near the Cromwell Bridge, on Sunday last. Our informantisconfident in his assertion, which is corroborated by two or three persons. One thing is certain no brown trout could have found their way up to the Clutha. We regref to notice the death of Mr Stephen Roff, who died at his house in Arney street, Greymoutli. Mr Roff had been a resident of the Grey for years, and had recently, with two others, patented an apparatus, in Melbourne, for telling the weight of the contents of any ship or vessel while in the water. The Government had recently granted the patent and Mr Roff’s share in it is estimated to bo worth £2OOO to £3OOO. He was a native of New York States, was only 46 years of age, and possessed considerable engineering ability and skill. The §l2 Lever Watch, No. 13,580, purchased from Chas. P. Norton & Co. 86 Nassau street, New York, January sth, has been carried by me over 6ix months, with a total variation in time of only 26 seconds, without the slightest regulating, and presents the same brilliancy of color as when purchased.—JA»R. WILSON, Sec. American S. M. Co. N. Y., New York, July 30th, 1870.

Kidnapping in the South Seas.— Those who are in the habit of perusing reports of the proceedings in the English House of Commons, can hardly have failed to have noticed the persevering efforts that have been made from time to time by Mr P. A. Taylor, the member for Leicester, to put down the nefarious kidnapping practices in the South Seas, by calling the attention of the House to the subject, and this repeatedly, though being almost unsupported, and met with lukewarmness from the Government. His good services in the noble cause he so warmly espoused may now no longer be required, as the lamentable news that has just reached us will soon rouse public indignation at home, and probably the active measures he appealed for in vain will now be taken, but we would nevertheless respectfully record our recognition and appreciation of his untiring, though unsuccessful,endeavors toprotect the'weak and defenceless.

Nugget. —A nugget weighing 51b 7oz lOdwt was found, last Monday, in the Greenstone district, Westland, by a party of three miners named Frank Keenan, William Spiers, and William Connor. The nugget was found in a claim upon the Argus Terrace, about 300 yards to the west of the Court house, just off the main road. The fortunate finders were, of course, exceedingly hilarious on espying the welcome stranger sticking out from the face of the claim about 15ft from the surface, and under where an immense boulder had been taken away. On taking the nugget to the bank the party were offered £257 cash for it; but they refused to sell it, and merely deposited it in the Bank of New Zealand.

Sale of Stock. The “ Lyttelton Times” reports: —Messrs J. T. Ford and Co sold Mr Tolmie’s prize sheep, consisting of five rams and eleven ewes, at Mr R. Wilkins’ yard, in Hereford street, on Saturday last, at prices for rams from £47 5s to £2O; ewes, from £lO to £3 3s each. The sheep were a very superior description, and deserving the reputation Mr Tolmie has earned as a breeder. His sheep, from their similarity, evenness of wool, combined with length, lustre, softness, and elasticity, show evidence of the most careful breeding and judgment, and •they will no doubt prove an acquisition to the flocks of Canterbury. Wanganui Steam Navigation Company. The half-yearly meeting of this Company was held at Wanganui on Monday last. The balance-sheet for the halfyear showed a profit for the half-year of £B7B. In their report, the directors considered this result highly satisfactory, when it is remembered that, from April to October, there is less carrying and passenger traffic than at any other period of the year. The earnings of the Wan gauui had been £92 less than during the previous half-year, but the profits had been more by £143, by economy and careful management. The repairs to that vessel had cost £65, and had been paid out of current earnings. By a further slight outlay it is believed that her running continuously for six months may be counted on. The directors then refer to the purchase of the St. Kilda, at a cost of £1630, without any demand on the shareholders, and speak of her as being already chartered for a large amount of stockcarrying work. In consequence of this purchase, they recommend that no dividend should be declared, but they earnestly hope that the present half-year, unlike the past, may be free from the great commercial depression which has so long existed throughout the colonies, and result in their being in a position to warrant the payment of a fair remunerative dividend at "the next meeting. A motion to reduce the number of directors to five, and to pay them 10s 6d each for one board meeting every month, was made and carried. The following gentlemen were proposed to fill the two vacancies on the directory :—Messrs Thomas Allan, W. 11. Watt, G. Beavan, A. Tod, and Alexander Williamson. On a vote being taken, Messrs Tod and W. H. Watt were declared duly elected. Produce in Otago. —Through all parte of the Province, says the “ Otago Daily Times,” farmers feel severely the present low prices obtained for produce, and of which there appears no sign of improvement. We believe the other day a party purchased in the Clutha district a few hundred pounds of good fresh butter at 4d per pound. In a neighboring district, a few days ago, a good lady went to tbe township to dispose of her butter, but was unable to do so at any price. Rather than carry it home, she gave it away gratis.

Berkley, Sept. 1869. —Gentlemen, I feel it a duty I owe : o you to expi'ess my gratitude for the great benefit I have derived by taking ‘Norton’s Camomile Pills.’ I applied to your agents, Mr Bell Berkley, for the above named Pills, for wind in the stomach, for which I suffered excruciating pain for a length of time, having tried every remedy persenbed, bub without deriving any benefit at all. After taking two bottles of your valuable pills I wa9 quite restored to my usual state of health. Please give this publicity for tbe benefit of those who may thus be afflicted.”—l am, Sir, yours truly, Henry Allpass. — To the proprietors of Norton’s Camomile Pills.

The Clutha Railway— From eighty to one hundred men are at present at work on Messrs M‘Leod and Co s contract of the Clutha railway. About three miles of formation are already completed, and it is expected that in the course of about another month other four miles will have been got over. Altogether, the contract seems to be progressing in a most expeditious and satisfactory manner. The Luxurious Maori.— Mr Creighton has discovered that the Maoris consume tobacco, and unfortunately for themselves, spirits also ; likewise that they are largo consumers of blankets. The honorable gentleman, says the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald,” might have added that our brethren are large buyers of another dutiable article—white hats. No Maori buck in Napier or Auckland considers his toilet complete without one. Of saddlery and slop clothing too the Maoris purchase largely, though in Napier, where so large a proportion of the natives are in receipt of regular incomes from the rent of land, many of them have gone a step beyond slops. As the Honorable Augustus de Boots drives his mail phaeton to Pools, and spends an afternoon in ordering coats, so the genuine Maori swell of the period, with a white hat on his curly head, a flower in his button-hole, a cigar in his mouth, and driving his pair horse buggy drives to the local store to be measured for his suit.

Important Sale of Stock. —Messrs Driver, Stewart & Co, of Dunedin, recently concluded a sale on account of Mr G. M. Bell of Waimea Plains, Southland, of the whole of his stud flock of merino sheep to Messrs Campbell and Low for the sum of £2500. This flock comprises a large number of ewes specially selected by Mr Bell, who is one of the best judges of merino sheep in the colony, from the Warrambeen and Mudgee flocks, with their progeny by very high class rams of the most celebrated Australian strains, and for symmetry of carcase, firmness, lustre, length and density of fleece, are probably unsurpassed in New Zealand. Mr Bell, says the “ Daily Times,” has not been an exhibitor at any of the local or provincial shows, presumably on account of the difficulties and risks attendant on transport of his stock from the interior ; but it is not unlikely that those sheep, under the able management of Mr F. D. Rich, with all the conveniences for “ bringing out” sheep for exhibition which he has, at his beautiful estate of Bushy Park, will at future shows creditably sustain their reputatien, while in other and more profitable respects they will prove a most valuable acquisition to the present magnificent stud flocks of the spirited purchasers. Sheep Shearing. —Shearing on Mr W. Miller’s Roxburgh station, says the “ Tuapeka Times,” was commenced on Wednesday, the Ist instant. 17,000 sheep were shorn by twelve shearers in less than three weeks, the average number put through being nearly 1000 per day, the sheep were all perfectly clean. The rate paid for shearing was 15s per hundred, and for wool-pressing 2s per bale. TeK'-oti. —The Hawke’s Bay “Telegraph” of Saturday reports : —Captain Porter arrived in town this afternoon from Ruatahuna. Te Kooti has been completely lost. All his men have now left him, and it is confidently believed that he has been w'ounded in a skirmish with the Urewcras. It is considered by no means improbable that Tc Kooti has either been captured by, or given himself up to the, Urewcras, who, jealous of Ropata, will deliver him up to the Government themselves. Te Kooti is stated to have with him only one woman and a boy. Importation of Flour. —The brigantine Swordfish, from Adelaide, w r ith 150 tons of flour, arrived at Nelson on Thursday last, just in the nick of time to save the duty imposed on flour by the new tariff which came into operation next day. The “ Examiucr” says : —Part of the cargo of the Swordfish was for Wellington, and on this the duty will have to be paid, although had the consignee been a little smart he might have had his portion cf the cargo cleared at Nelson, and then entered it coastwise for Wellington. Bank of New Zealand. —The “ Southern Cross” of the Bth inst says :—“ The large amount of surplus money from the goldfields in Auckland has caused a great demand for permanent and safe investment, and Bank of New Zealand slock has iu consequence advanced in price, with an active inquiry. Whore t.be 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 pot ent remedial agents ; they effect the digestion of Cod Liver Oil and prevent uausea, 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 bottle. April 22 1871. 52w.