News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 46, 9 December 1871, Page 11

News of the Week.

The San Francisco Mail. —The San Francisco mail is due at Auckland every fourth Monday in 1872, commencing Ist January; and leaves Wellington every fourth Sunday, commencing on Sunday, 21st January.” The Minitry. The Cabinet has been sitting daily during the week for some hours, and it is undeivstood that arrangements have been nearly completed with Mr Brogden to the extent of the total sum authorised for expenditure by Parliament. The Premier. —The Hon W. Fox meditates a visit to Rangitikei, and the towns m the surrounding country, about the end of the present week. It is probable that he will, immediately after Christmas, make the visit to the West Coast of the Middle Island, promised by the Government during the late session.

Supreme Court Arrangements.— The trial of Eereopa yrill detain Mr Justice Johnson in Napier beyond the usual time, and he has accordingly sent down instructions to adjourn the Bankruptcy, Divorce, and Admiralty Courts, from the 20th instant to the 23rd, and the sittings in Banco down for the 18th sine die. The Registrar • will therefore sit om the days appointed, for the purpose o£ formally opening and adjourning fix® Courts.

The nest Session. —Major Campbell clerk of Parliament, proceeded to Dunedin per Rangitoto, having been instructed to examine into and report upon the accommodation available for the session of the Legislature in that city. Land Transfer Act. —We desire to point out to those persons who have purchased land from the Crown, but who have not yet had delivery of their Crown grants, that by making application to the District Land Registrar, at the time of delivery of the grant, they may have it registered under the Land Transfer Act instead of in the Deeds Registry, upon payment of 6s added to the contribution to the assurance fund of 4s 2d for every £IOO of value, a sum which in many cases is less than the ordinary registration fee. Thus, for example, the grantee of a see tion in this city, of the value of £IOO, the registration fee for which under the old system would be 14s, may bring his property under the Act for 10s 2d, thereby effecting an actual saving of 3s lOd ; because, unless he elects to have his grant registered under the Torrens’ system, lie cannot escape payment of the 14s. Those persons who take advantage of this provision of the Land Transfer Act Amendment Act, will secure, at a nominal cost, not only a guaranteed title, but one which is in every sense of the word “ marketable.” They will be in a position to mortgage or lease their land upon payment of fees amounting in all to 12s, and if they desire to sell the land at any time, it will be a material inducement to buyers to know that their title will only cost them 11s, instead of the large amount which they have been accustomed to pay for a conveyance under the old system. Ministerial Notifications. A General Government Gazette, issued on Wednesday, makes the following announcement of Ministerial arrangements:—The Governor, having accepted the resignation of the Hon William Gisborne, holding the office of Minister for Public Works, his Excellency has been pleased to appoint the Hon John Davies Ormond to be Minister for Public Works ; the Hon John Davies Ormond has been appointed a member of the Executive Council; the Hon William Reeves has been appointed Resident Minister for the Middle Island of New Zealand ; and the Hon George Marsden Waterhouse has resigned his seat in the Executive Council.

Circuit Court, Napier. —His Excellency the Governor lias appointed that a Circuit Court of the Supreme Court shall be held at the Provincial Council Chambers, at the town of Napier, in the province of Hawke’s Ray, on Thursday,

the twenty-first day of December instant, commencing at ten o clock m e forenoon, for the despatch of civil and criminal business of the said Court. Attempted Suicide. Late on Wednesday night a young girl named Lewers, a servant in the employ of Mrs Paul, indulged in an over-dose of strychnine, which fortunately did not prove fata Having been restored to reason, she will probably thank her ignorance of the action of chemical substances for preSOT ™ S her life. Dr Grace and Dr Prance being in attendance shortly alter the occurrence, bled the patient, and administered the stomach pump—two expedients which were efficacious in bringing back Miss Lewers to all the sublunary troubles of which she had hoped to rid herself. , ... The Luna.— The statement which appeared in our evening contemporary to the effect that Mr Yogel had ordered the Luna to return from important public service in order to convey himself and family to Auckland, is entirely without foundation—and we suppose was derived from the usual back-doors fount of information which has already been prolific of so many of the “ Post s mare s nests. The Capture of Kereopa. The £IOOO reward, offered by the Government to anyone who should capture Kereopa, was paid to Major Bopata at the AYairoa. We are glad that this well merited reward was so promptly paid by the Government, for nothing is better calculated to spur on the natives to redouble their efforts in the search for Te Kooti, for whose capture a reward of £3OOO is offered. Lemon TREE.-At Mr Lucas’ garden in Nelson there is now to be seen a lemon tree, about eight years old, in full bearing. A Mandarin orange tree is also bearing fruit in the same garden. The Wanganui Coach.—His Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen arrived in town on Tuesday evening at six o’clock. The trip was a delightful one all through, the country passed through and the little events connected with the trip eliciting expressions of pleasure both, from Lady Bowen and Sir George. The coach stayed at Langley s, at the Manawatu, for a short time giving some opportunity of a “look round/’ When leaving Wanganui, Mr Young had six fine horses in the coach, and the help thus afforded, may account for the arrival of the coach an hour or two earlier than usual. Never Despair Gold Mining- Company.—Mr Wright, the manager of this company, intimated to the shareholders at a meeting held at Barrett’s Hotel on Tuesuight, that the directors had written to Mr Walker, the late manager of the Long Drive, at the Thames,‘inviting him, on his intended visit to Wellington, to inspect and report on their mine at Terawiti. This is a step in the right direction, and we only trust that Mr Walker’s counsel will be such as to direct their labors to a successful issue. New Minister. The Bev James Laurie arrived on Tuesday by the s.s. Bangitoto, from Scotland, via Melbourne, en route to the to take charge of the Presbyterian congregation there. We hope that the settlers in that district Will give him a hearty welcome on his arrival amongst them. The rev gentleman will preach this evening at the Presbyterian Church, Willis Street, at 7.30 p.m. The Court House Bibles.— lhe person whose cupidity betrayed him into the hardly pardonable offence of removing three of the Bibles kept in stock at the B. M. Court for swearing purposes has profited by a perusal of the contents, and replaced them. The Wharf Sheds.— The committee to whom was entrusted the duty of reporting upon the erection of sheds upon the wharf have decided to recommend the erection of three sheds on the wharf —two on the outer T, and one on the first T from the end on the south side according to plans and specifications prepared for the Provincial Government; also that the lowest tender sent in to the Government be accepted for the work. The sheds will be two free and one bonded. We Lave already drawn attention to the condition of the planking of the wharf, and it will be of some consequence, in estimating the expense and durability of the work, that care should be taken not to erect the structures on a foundation of sand, or rather dry rot. The Late Bishop Patteson. The following letter has been received by the Governor of New South Wales. from Commodore Stirling : —H.M.S Clio, at Melbourne, 12th of November, 1871. My Lord,—l have the honor to acquaint your lordship that your telegram respect ing Bishop Patteson’s murder reached me last night, and I replied by telegraph this morning. The Bosairo left Sydney on the 19th ultimo for a cruise amongst the New Hebrides and Santa Cruz Groups, calling first at Norfolk Island, which place she would reach about the time that the news of the Bishop’s murder arrived there or soon afterwards. As Commander Markham had discretionary power as to the order in which he visited the New Hebrides and Santa Cruz Islands, I have no doubt that on bearing of the sad

occurrence he proceeded from Norfolk Island direct to Santa Cruz. In this morning’s “ Argus” the murder is stated to have taken place at Nukupu, a small Island on the Swallow Group in latitude 107 S., longitude 165 59 E. about 36 miles north of Santa Cruz.—l have, &c., F. H. Stirling, Commodore and Senior Officer. To his Excellency the Bight Honorable the Earl of Belmore, Governor, &c., &c., &c., Sydney. The Prize Firing-. —After deliberation in the matter, the Government have decided to suspend, for the present year, that clause in the firing regulations imposing a retrospective qualification for district representatives in the shape of attendance at specified drills between the beginning of April and the end of November. It should be borne in mind, however, that there is every likelihood of tho rule being insisted on next year, and it would be advisable that our volunteers should so regulate their attendances as not to ex; elude themselves from the advantages of firing under the regulations of next year. Now that the rule has for the present been abandoned we reprint it, so as to. refresh the memories of those who may not have paid much attention to the matter : “ No volunteer shall be eligible to become a competitor for the choice of either com pany or colonial representatives for the colonial prize firing unless he has attended five Government inspection parades between the Ist of April and the 30th of November.” Land Begistry.— Mr Moorhouse, the Begistrar-General for Land, will shortly pay the province of Marlborough a visit for the purpose of bringing the Land Transfer Act into operation. The Dkunkard. —The full meaning of this detestable phrase was presented to the public of Wellington yesterday. Tim figure which exposed itself in open day to the gaze of passers-by was that of a female, who, intoxicated by the accursed fumes of alcohol, staggered along Willis Street. We should not, perhaps, have specially noted the incident but for a deplorable circumstance, which caused our first feelings of loathing and abhorrence to melt before the humane impulses. On the arm of its mother, apparently a hard working married woman, was a sweet looking, cherub-faced little i babe, about nine months old, which, though in imminent danger of being thrown to the ground by the feeble hold and unsteady gait of its parent, gave expression to its merry prattle iu its infantile and tender notes of joy, unconscious that its mother was possessed by a fiend that had destroyed the feelings of love and affection implanted by nature iu all God’s creatures. Happily such a spectacle is of rare occurrence iu Wellington,andwe hope in future the police will take steps, should such a case come under their notice, to bring to justice any publican who plies a female with drink to such an extent as the case in the present instance. The woman, of whose case we have just been speaking was seen to emerge, in her overpowered condition, from one of the hotels iu the city. __ , The Wellington Wharf.— The Nelson “ Colonist” gives publicity to an an nounceraent rather damaging to the accommodation and security afforded to vessels lying at the Queen’s Wharf.in bad weather. A late issue of that journal says that during the late gale the ketch Collingwood, laden with wheat from Nelson, received considerable damage to. her cargo whilst lying alongside the Wellington Wharf. No doubt our contemporary has discovered the error by this time ; the Collingwood, as our readers know, having touched on Barrett’s Beef when entering the harbor. In contradiction of the announcement made by the “ Colonist we may state that, notwithstanding all the very severe weather to which we have been subjected in Wellington for years past, we do not remember the occurrence of a single accident of the kind mentioned having taken place. N elson Begatta. —The N elsonßegatta Club have issued their proposed programme of the races and sports arranged to take place at the usual annual meeting, on Boxing Day. The Wellington Artillery. — The “ Chronicle” speaks in the following flattering manner of the performances of our Artillery corps At the request of a number of our townspeople, the detachment of this fine corps, now on a visit here, favored the public with an interesting exhibition of sbot and shell practice from their two six pounder Armstrong guns. The place chosen was the right bank of the river, beside Mr Hutchison’s house, and the targets, consisting of three dry casks, filled with sand, surmounted by a flag pole in the centre, were placed on the left bank at a distance of 1900 vards. The firing was considered by old officers of the Imperial service to have been excellent. On examining the target it was found that a ball fired by Corporal Diamond, of No. 1 detachment, had gone clean through one of the barrels, and the ground for twenty or thirty yards around the target was completely ploughed up. It was exceedingly kind of the Artillery to give us an idea of what these great guns can do in practiced hands.

Christening the New Boat.— The interest centreing in the introduction. to Wellington of the first boat of so superior a class as that recently brought over from Melbourne culminated in the proceedings of last evening. The arrangement for the baptismal ceremony had been entrusted to the commodore of our regatta meetings, Mr IT. F. Logan, who also filled the capacity last evening, and all that was necessary to the successful carrying out of the ceremony had been completed during the day to prevent the occurrence of any delay or unpleasantness. In aid of the efforts so made the weather assisted, and the evening was a fitting one in every respect on which to celebrate the closing.feature of an event to which every inhabitant of the city has attached more or less interest. There was just sufficient wind to cool the perspiration caused by the efforts of the pullers, the rays of the evening sun being yet rather warm, and the water was devoid of swell or roughness, there being just enough of a playful ripple to make the scene, if possible, more enjoyable. It is now only; about two mouths since the idea of an inter-colonial . boat race assumed the form of a definite proposal, and it is only proper that we should say that the efforts of our boating fraternity since the matter took a tangible shape have been exceedingly creditable. They have been what might correctly be termed short, sharp, and decisive, for in the interval of time that has elapsed since the appearance of the advertisement announcing the terms of the race acquatic enthusiasts have held their meetings on the matter, decided on the kind of boat to be built, and have brought her down from Melbourne, but there is one thing their infaligability has not been sufficiently potential in overcoming —the raising of the whole amount of her cost ; that is to say, they have not succeeded in raising enough money to cover the unavoidable expense which will necessarily arise in sending down the crew and bringing them back. Wb may mention as an inducement to those who are at all inclined to subscribe to the fund, that after the race the boat, will be raffled amongst those who subscribe to the funds. As the hour fixed for the ceremony approached the fillip for the preparations was given by the dressing of the liners at the wharf, the Halcione. the Electra, the Annie, the collier Annie Melhuisli, and the steamer Wanganui, all of wnicli were enshrouded in a profusion of bunting from stem to stern. Gradually the boats of the various clubs began to emerge from their sheds, and soon the h.aroor appeared extremely gay in the display of colors, and extremely lively in the exertions of the oarists. By six o’clock those of the inhabitants who, though not be longing to any club, are . sufficiently enthusiastic in aquatic affairs to deem it incumbent on them to put in an appearance punctual to time, were sauntering about on all portions of the wharf, and these groups formed the nucleus of .a gathering which was fast growing in numbers. About half-an-hour afterwards the whole length of the outer T was packed to such a density that even the most elongated giraffe-necked individuals had difficulty in obtaining a view of the proceedings* from behind. The barque Annie, lying at tbe inner side of the T was pretty well patronised by deck visitors, while at the outer side the Wanganui’s decks, deck-houses, the boats in the davits, and even the rigging, were crowded v/ith eager gazers. The number present could not have . been less than six hundred. The crews in the boats had been paddling about up to this time, but were now signalled to draw up in front of the wharf. The Government office barge was the first boat to take up its position. On board were Miss Snow, the lady who had kindly consented to take the leading part in the baptistical formulary ; her father, Mr Snow, who has taken a great deal of pains in the selection and coaching of the crew ; and a number of other ladies and gentlemen. The boat was neatly decorated with flags, alinebeing run from the stem to the stern, and supported on the caps of the mast. Next were ranged the Independent, six oar, theßualura, six oar, the Electric Spark, four oar, the Empire City, six oar, the Yictoria, six oar, the Eaugh-a-Ballagh, four oar, and some smaller boats. A little difficulty was experienced in getting the new outrigger alongside the barge, but this having been done” Mr Logan handed to Miss Snow, who had taken up a position in the stern sheets, a goblet filled with champagne. The lady then dashed the wine over the bows, saying “I have great pleasure in naming this boat the Wellington, as representing the province in the forthcoming race and I hope she may be successful in the contest.” Mr Logan then thanked Miss Snow for her kindness in consenting to be present to name the boat, assuring her that no effort would be spared either by the crew or by those to whom had been entrusted the carrying out of the arrangements to bring their efforts to a successful issue. The commodore then gave the word to peak oars, which was done in good time by all the boats. Mr Logan then called for three cheers for Miss Snow,

which were heartily given by the boats crews, and faintly responded to by those on the wharf. Three cheers for the new boat were then given, and the whole fleet, by unanimous consent, started a race. The course was round the hulk at the head of the harbor, passing astern of the Blanche, and back to the wharf. _ Some good spurting was made, and ultimately the Empire City came home first. The outrigger rowed leisurely round with the boats, but made no attempt to pass them. The crew sat the boat very well, but, as might be expected, were not so familiar with her ways as to he able to put on any power. They afterwards took a long course round the harbor, across by the baths, and home to the Star Club’s shed. This little ceremony may be fairly characterised as the most successful affair of the kind that has ever taken place in these waters.

The Wanganui Bridge Tolls.— The following, published for general information, is the schedule of tolls which will be payable at the bridge when it is taken over by the Government and formally opened for traffic :—For every timber wain drawn by two horses, 2s; every additional horse, 3d ; every four-wheeled vehicle without springs drawn by two horses, 2s; every additional horse, 3d ; every four-wheeled vehicle with springs, Is 6d : every iwo-wlieelcd vehicle without springs drawn one horse, Is ; every additional horse, 3d ; every two-wheeled vehicle with springs, 9d ; every saddled or harnessed horse, 6d ; every other liorse not in harness and head of other great cattle, 3d; every sheep or other small cattle, Id ; every foot passenger, Id. And every vehicle drawn by an ass, mule, bull, or bullock shall be liable to the same toll as if drawn by a horse, and every saddled or harnessed ass, mule, bull, or bullock, shall be liable to the same toll as a saddled or harnessed horse. Provided that no tolls shall be taken on timber wains or carts repassing without a load on the same day. The Nelson and Foxhill Line. —The Superintendent of Nelson, O. Curtis, Esq., is at present on an official visit to Wellington, the object of his presence being to induce the Government to proceed as rapidly as possible witli the works in connection with the Foxhill line. Nelson Loan. —An advertisement appears in our advertising columns, from the Provincial Treasurer of N elson, calling for tenders for debentures to the amount of £SOOO uuder the authority of the “Nelson City Loan Act, 1867.” The amount authorised to be raised for expenditure on gas works, and water extension for the city, is £30,000, but only a small portion of this is needed at present. . The first out ay will be made in reclaiming land on the Harbor Beach for a site for the gas works. It is expected that the initiation of the works will be the means of revivifying matters in Nelson. In addition to the gas works the drainage works of the city are shortly to be started ; so that all surplus labor is likely soon to be profitably employed. The New Boat. —Our opinion of the new Wellington boat has received confirmation from the high quarter. The “ Australasian” has the following notice of her qualifications : —Mr J. Edwards, the boatbuilder, &c, at Prince’s Bridge, has just turned out a very handsome and finished specimen of the craft, in the shape-ofanew outrigged four-oared boat, to the order of the Wellington Bowing Club, N.Z. She is built of cedar and blackwood, has polished brass ' fittings, and outriggers made of softened steel. Her dimensions are 44ft in length, 20in beam, and lOin in depth ; her weight is about 821 b. Her lines and proportions are an exact copy of the new outrigger lately imported by the Melbourne Bowing Club, and built by that well-known firm, Messrs Salter, of Oxford. The workmanship seems excellent in every respect, and reflects the highest credit on Harry Lester, who built her, and who is in Edwards’ employ. Indeed, as a sample of the boatbuilder’s skill, she has no rival in colonial production, and it would not be too much to say that she would do no discredit to any builder in the old country. The boat is intended to be used by the Wellington Bowing Club in a four-oared race, open to all members of rowing clubs throughout the Australian colonies and New Zealand, fixed to take place at Christchurch, on the river Heallieote, Canterbury, N.Z., towards the end of January next.

The Y/ires about Auckland.—Telegraph communication was stopped last week, in consequence of something being wrong with the wire. All sorts of rumors were afloat as to the cause of the stoppage, which was set down to have arisen indirectly from the sudden rise in a certain class of shares. For the credit of the commercial community, we are glad to find that such conjectures had no foundation, the facts of the case being that the mast of the cutter Woodstock, in passing up the river, fouled the wire and snapped it. The wire at this point is suspended by two towers, and by an ingenious contrivance the wire can always be lowered and raised to allow a vessel to pass. All vessels proceeding up the river are expected to give notice at the Custom-house

of their intention of doing so, a man and boat being always in readiness to accompany the vessel to assist in lowering and raising the wire. In this instance the necessary information was not given, hence an accident occurred, and telegraphic communication was interrupted for several hours, All, however, was put to rights in the afternoon, and messages passed as usual in the evening. The Picton and Blenheim Railway. -—Mr Carruthers, the Engineerin-Chief, together with Mr Brogden, and his chief engineer, Mr J. Henderson, arrived in Blenheim on the 2nd inst. The object of their visit, we presume, is to examine the country through which the projected Picton and Blenheim line will pass, in accordance with a provision made in the recent session of the Assembly. The party, accompanied by the Superintendent of the province of Marlborough, left for Wairau on the 2nd inst. Netting Pakehas. —The Wairoa correspondent of the “Hawke’s Bay Herald” says “It is said that a letter has been received by the chiefs on the East Coast from Rewi, written in the Waikato dialect, and in the peculiar idiomatic style of Maori correspondence. He commences his letter by telling them that for a long time he has been asleep, but that now he is waking ; that the Pakeha are all fish ( hapulcu); that he is the fisherman who will catch them all in his net. He advises all the chiefs to spread their nets ready for a similar object. That a star (or sign) will shortly rise, for which they are to be on the look out, a 3 this will be the signal for them to commence their piscatorial pursuits. This is a free translation of the letter received by Paora te Apatu.”

Memorial to West Coast Explorers. —The “Lyttelton Times” says it will be in the recollection of its readers that in the years 1866 7, a meeting was called in Christchurch to consider the propriety of erecting some permanent memorial to the West Coast explorers, whose lives had been sacrificed in the work they were engaged on for the future benefit of the province, and that subscriptions to the amount of £9O were then raised, chiefly through the efforts of Mr Strouts, who soon afterwards left Canterbury on a visit to England. Since then the subject has remained in abeyance. Now, however, a very suitable opportunity has appeared to present itself for the completion of the work, and the memorial has assumed the shape of an appropriate decoration to the new church, of Saint Michael’s, in the form of a series of stained glass windows for its western end. A meeting of the subscribers was called at White's Hotel, by Mr Strouts, at which the following resolutions were passed : “ That five stained glass windows (drawings of which were submitted) be placed in the west end of St Michael’s Church, now in course of erection, as a memorial of the five gentlemen—Messrs Whitcombe, Howitt, Townsend, Dobson, and Ollivier, whose lives were lost while exploring the West Coast of this province, and that a brass plate with a suitable inscription be placed beneath the windows.” “That Messrs Harman, Strouts, and Ollivier, be empowered to carry out the above resolution, with power to alter the design of the centre light.”

Musical Taste in Exgland. —Mr J. A. Novcllo writes from Italy in support of the proposal to teach music in all primary schools :—“From my own experience of how ample are the results from small beginnings, I think it would be found that if only five or ten minutes every day were appointed to the joint singing of some choral exorcise, with or without instruments, that the permanence and progress of music in England would be assured. The pupils would find their singing the most attractive part of their studies, and would benefit bj’- the effect which music lias in raising the spirits, arid lightening labor; while individual exertion would be almost sure to arrange the means of some preparatory study by which music would improve. The English people are especially inclined to the practice of music, as is proved by the large use they made of the cheap copies when I put them within their reach ; and more readers of that universal language, musical notation, will be found iu England than in any other country, Germany not excepted; indeed, the high repute of Germany for musical culture is more due to its advanced professors than to its general population. Amongst the latter, t-he singing of chorales iu their churches, and choral songs in their schools, has done much to associate music with heir highest aspirations.” Berkley, Sept. 1869.—Gentlemen, I feel it a duty I owe to you to express my gratitude for the great benefit I have derived by taking * Norton’s Camomile Pills.’ I applied to your agents, Mr Bell Berkley, for the above named Pills, for wind in the stomach, for which I suffered excruciating pain for a length of time, having triad every remedy perscribed, but without deriving any benefit at all. After taking two bottles of your valuable pills I was quite restored to my usual state of health. Please give this publicity for the benefit of those who may thus be afflicted.” —I am, Sir, yours truly, Henry Allpass. —To the proprietors of Norton’s Camomile Pills.

Marton Cadets. —We have been favored with a beautifully executed photograph of a very pleasing ceremony in connection with this gallant little corps, which took place on Wednesday week in the hall of the Rutland Hotel, where the boys were drawn up two deep to receive a graceful recognition of their efficiency from the hands of Lady Bowen. For the particulars of the parade we aro indebted to the “ Wanganui Herald.” Her ladyship, who was attended by the Defence Minister, was suitably received by the cadets, who presented arms in a most soldier-like manner as her ladyship came towards them. The Defence Minister introduced Captain Coleman to Lady Bowen. Her ladyship said she had been watching the cadets from the window of the hotel, and she was much pleased with their soldierly appearance and the manner in which they drilled; also that her little girls were very much interested in them. She had a son about seven years old, and intended him to join a cadet corps immediately, and would be proud to see him doing his duty in such a corps as the one now before her. Her ladyship hoped they would he good lads and grow up to be good men, and always do their duty well. She acknowledged the receipt of the photo from Captain Coleman, and was much pleased with it; and had much pleasure in presenting the cadets with a purse (the purse was made of blue silk and contained ten sovereigns) in appreciation of their services and behaviour. Captain Coleman said, in reply, that his feelings of gratitude had so overcome him that he could not sufficiently express his thanks. But he, as well as the cadets, would always remember the day with pleasure and pride. The corps had only been raised a few months ; the bo3 r s had worked hard to learn the drill; however, the honor done them fully compensated for all their trouble. At this stage Lady Bowen asked to see the “ Little Sergeant,” when Sergeant M'Donald was called to the front. He caused no little amusement among the bystanders by his soldierly appearance, coupled by his diminutive stature (certainly not more than three feet three inches). Her ladyship shook his hand in a cordial manner, and said he would no doubt make a fine little soldier. The Defence Minister addressed a few words of a complimentary nature to the lads. The corps gave three hearty cheers for Lady Bowen, and after a few words from their captain, who spoke with pardonable feeliugs of pride about the high compliments that had been paid to them, they were dismissed. And thus ended an especially pleasing little episode.

The Wairau Breach. —Mr Carrutliers, Engineer-in-chief, with Mr J. Henderson, C.E., accompanied by his Honor tiie Superintendent, paid a visit to the Wairau Breach on Wednesday last, and the result of their examination was the universal expression of opinion that any works short of massive masonry, with an expense of say a million sterling, would fail in being of any service in affecting the Opawa overflow at that site. On their return they visited the dangerous place on the south side of the Opawa river, near Mr Adam Jackson’s, and here they recommended the formation of a bank similar to the one erected four or five years ago, but placed further inland, with the hope that it may prevent the overflow until such time as the river attains its natural curve or channel. His Honor acquiescing in the opinion and feeling that the case was urgent, and that the very next fresh might carry off the existing bank so as to bring down the river upon Blenheim, at once ordered Mr John O'Sullivan to get the work done without any delay. An instance of prompt action which will be rightly estimated by all who understand the extreme danger at the place in question.—“ Marlborough Express,” December 2nd. Silk Culture. —In. the cocoonery iu Salt Lake City 800,000 silkworms consume thirty bushels of mulberry leaves per day. Coromandel. —Coromandel is becoming a much livelier place than was the case with it of yore. A few nights ago a new hotel was opened with a housewarming, the landlord providing the edibles, and the visitors supplying their own liquors (of course from the landlord’s bar). Before the night concluded the host had taken nearly £2OO, one digger, heavy in funds, having “ shouted” £4O in champagne. He had struck a “ patch,” he said, and, knowing where there was another like it, he intended fun. There was' a very large company present, and all expressed their opinion that Coromandel would, in a very short time, become a running series of “ jewellers’ shops,” the like of which would put the Caledonian shareholders, and the holders in all other claims at the Thames, to the blush.

Tampering with the Justices.— An adjourned case of assault came on for hearing at Blenheim on the Ist inst. Before resuming the hearing the Magistrate, Dr Muller, said he had to state that he bad received a letter apparently from the accused, in which reference had been made to the case now pending. That he bad not read the letter, and, as any attempt to

tamper with a Judge or Magistrate during the progress of the case was a very serious offence, he must call upon Mr O’Mahoney to apologise, or he should feel it his duty to commit him for contempt of Court. Ihe letter was then handed by the Bench to the accused, who expressed his regret if he had done wrong. The defendant had to be reprimanded several times during the hearing of the case, and eventually he was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court in Marlborough on the charge of a common assault. Te Kooti. —Some particulars regarding the pursuit of Te Kooti d uring the last few months are given by the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald” in a recent issue. We extract the following account of a “hairbreadth escape” of the rebel from two parties of Ureweras : —“ They came upon him at a potato plantation near Routabuna. Hemi, one of the Uriwera chiefs, with the object of taking the whole party alive if possible, gave orders to his men to try and surround them, and nob to fire. One of his men, however, seeing Te Kooti himself sitting astride on a log in the middle of the plantation, in blissful ignor ance of the imminent danger, could not resist the temptation of having a shot at him. The aim was a fairly good one, though not so accurate as might have been desired. Te Kooti was sitting at the time in such a position that the man who fired saw his profile. The bullet struck his waist belt just beside the pouch, which he wore in front, and actually cut the belt in two. It is now in the hands of the Uriweras. On the shot being fired the whole party made off. Whether Te Kooti was struck or not is uncertain ; but, as the Uriweras reported at the time that traces of blood were seen, the chances are that he was.” The same journal states that among the prisoners lately captured was Olivia, “ Te Kooti’s chief wife, the same lady whose dress he used to hold on to when going through the bash, to prevent her from giving him the slip.” Flax. —The “ Tuapeka Times” states that “there is every prospect of the flax manufacture being vigorously ard remuneratively prosecuted in the Olutha district during the coming year. An enterprising firm engaged in this industry, finding the prices they received for their manufacture in England not satisfactory shipped a quantity direct to America, where it met with ready sale at remunerative rates.” Hokitika Coal. —The “West Coast Times” notices that the Hokitika Coal Prospecting Association have now started operations. Mr HOO3, one of the committee of management, has gone up to Coal Hill with four men to commence work. We understand that the Association had great difficulty in securing the desired ground, which occasioned the delay. The, shareholders express great confidence in the undertaking, and we heartily -wish them success, none the less that their good fortune would open up an industry which would materially benefit this district.

Fiji. —The Fiji Government do not seem to find all hands very tractable. A scene occured lately in the Police Court, before Mr Brougham the Police Magistrate, in which a Mr Muir, tobacconist, had been refused possession of certain moneys, which had been found on the person of one Wilson, who was in prison on a charge of stealing them. Muir considered the money belonged to his firm, and demanded it, but was told that until too case was decided, the Government held the money in suspense. Muir then asked for a note to the Treasurer to be allowed to examine the moneys, and was refused. He then became very insulting, both in demeanor and words, and said he would not be robbed by Burt or his Government, but would see it d d first. He was allowed to proceed in the same strain for a length of time, the magistrate exercising the greatest forbearance. But at length the Bench intimated that he would not be allowed to insult a magistrate sitting on the Bench with impunity. Muir then said, “Bench be d d. I don’t care a d d for you or your Bench.” The magistrate then threatened to cause him to be arrested, and he put his hat on saying—“ find me a man to arrest me, bring me a man from among your Government able to do it,” accompanying the words with voilent gestures. His arrest was then ordered, on sentence for contempt of court, and on his resisting Constable Moore, he was handcuffed by the Sergeant Senior. From this time till he was removed, his language was mostinsultingand violent, and after having being detained for a period sufficient to vindicate the requirement of law, justice, and order he was, on order of the Police Magistrate, liberated on bis own recognisances.—A public meeting, held subsequently, sympathised with Muir. 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 six 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.—JAS. R. WJLSON, Sec. American S. M. Co. N. Y., New York, July 30th, 1870,

Newspaper Insanity. —The “Nelson Colonist” in noticing some recent effu. sions, says the “ Wairarapa Mercury,” printed in Wellington province, must be a very queer print; suffering from religious melancholy as well as extraordinary foolishness, which last has always been apparent in its columns. One Mr Andrew is a member of Parliament for the district of Wairarapa. The “ Independent,” in an article a few weeks ago, charged this gentleman with “uniformly taking action against the interests of his own province, and of distinctly breaking his election pledges.” This article, according to the “Wairarapa Mercury,” severely displeased a special providence, which would appear to watch over the sainted Andrew. It would seem almost impossible that in these times such a sentence as the following could have been written by a sane man ; but to be actually printed as part of a newspaper article is something alarming as to the question of the density of the district where it is possible for the paper which wrote and printed it to continue to exist. The sentence is copied verbatim from the “ Mercury “ It appears to be almost a judgment of Providence that on the very same day the article (re Mr Andrew) appeared in the “ Independent,” the editor of that journal, who we cannot believe indited it, but who must have consented to its insertion, was drowned in Wellington harbor.”(!!!) The worst of it is, that Providence here is made to drown the man that didn’t write the article, while passing over the printer and the real writer. If a man must write himself down an ass, he might try and do so a little more logically than this “ Mercury” man has done. It would bo well, too, if he had shown what Mr Andrew had done that would at all„ render it vaguely possible in the eyes of special judgment-mongers that Mr Andrew’s particular providence should be led to raise a terribly tespestuous wind for the purpose of suddenly cutting off the man who did not indite the anti-Andrew article. Could it be probable that the “ Mercury’s” own article was known to, or indited by, Mr Andrew ? It is a painful thing to think that the publication of such a sentence could be possible at this time of day. Riverton, Southland. —A Riverton correspondent informs the “ Southland News” that the grain export trade continues brisk at that port, and says that even at the low prices ruling the shipments must return a large sum to the district. Shortly since the Grace Darling sailed with 1500 bags; a few days ago the Fiery Cross took her departure with 900 bags, and the Annie is now ready for sea with 2500 bags more. In addition to these direct shipments, all for Melbourne, a considerable quantity is forwarded by the steamers eallingat the Bluff. The sealing trade is also reviving encouragingly. Only recently the return of two of Messrs Hatch and Co’s boats from a successful cruise was mentioned, and now another expedition is on the point of starting. A ten ton schooner and Mr Daniels’ boat have been provisioned for twelve months, and, with eight men on board, will sail with the first favorable wind for a station on the West Coast not made public. They intend to be away the year, and are going in for the collection of a cargo ©f such miscellaneous marketable commodities as fortune may throw in their way, such as sealskins and oil, mutton birds, feathers, and other unconsidered trifles. It is to be hoped their venture may result so profitably as to induce au extension of the enterprise.

Agricultural Labourers’ Conference —A meeting of agricultural laborers was held lately in a barn at a small village in Hertfordshire (Adfordton), for the purpose of comparing notes as to their condition. After a rather lengthy speech by the chairman, a schoolmaster, the laborers had their say. A man named Pugh said he received 9s a week, and “the run of a pig,” with his cottage; but the pig he seemed to consider rather a disadvantage than otherwise, for he stated that “a pig won’t get his own livin’, especially such a summer as last summer,” and then lie proceeded to show what became of his wages. He said first of all be paid six shillings for bread ; then there was a shillin’ for the pig, “for you can’t keep a pig under a shillin’;” and there was another shilling for shoes, which wa3 eight shillings. Then there was sixpence for the children’s schooling, and meat and sugar had to come out of the remaining sixpence. He suggested that if they all put their shoulders to the wheel they should be able to obtain 2s 6d a day. Another laborer, John Pearce, said he had six children, his wife, and himself to keep out of nine shillings a week : his shoemaker's bill last year was £3 4<s lid ; and he asked how was lie to pay that? Native Murderers. —A considerable amount of comment has arisen in Napier from the fact that two of the original Chatham Island prisoners were walking about the town. The two men were also supposed to have been implicated in the Poverty Bay massacre. The “ Telegraph” endorses the opinion of those who hold that these men should be brought to trial for their crimes, although it reminds those

people that it is always customary to allow to every Government certain cliscreWy any 1-sty actum on their part, or on the part of the Government 1 , would only have the effect of defeating the desired end, viz., the hanging of these scoundrels. Canterbury Regattas. - Canterbury is astir in all points. Boating is no the ifurore . Preparations for regattas to be held at Lyttelton, Christchurch, and Kaiapoi are afoot, the programme for the Kaiapoi regatta, to take place on Boxing Day, having already been issued. A number of good prizes are offered and at the conclusion of the events of the day the participants in the contests and the spectators will join each other at a ball to be given in connection with the regatta. . Anti-Chinese. —The anti-Chinese petition, although it lay for four weeks in the Mount Ida district, did not receive a single Art.— The Council of the New South Wales Academy of Art intend holding an exhibition of works of colonial art at Sydney in February next. From the many easel-pieces from time to time exhibited in the usual repositories for such works of art in our city we hope to hear that some of our local artists will put in, among"st the works of the master hands of the other colonies, a claim tor some acknowledgment cf the praise to be bestowed by authorities so high in the ranks of art as are the gentlemen who foim the Council of the New South WMes Academy of Art. . The Death or Mr Gross. —Captain Cross, the father of the young man whose death we announced in our yesterday s issue as having been caused by a fall from a horse, has called at our office to inform us that the account of his death, which we extracted from a Nelson paper, is mcor rect. It appears young Mr Cross was engaged in shearing at the St Leonard s station between Canterbury and Nelson ; and one day, after their labors were concluded, the whole of the hands, numbering about forty, engaged in a game known to juveniles as “ duck.” Mr Cross was the duck, and while replacing his stone on its pinnacle, he was hit by a stone which was thrown before he was well away from his “duck.” The stone struck him on the back of the head, about four inches from the ear. He was not thought to be seriously hurt, and was removed to a tent close by, but next morning was found dead lying some little distance from the tent. An inquest was held, at which the jury returned the following verdict “Accidently killed by being bit on the head with a stone playing at a game called duck.” Mr Cross was the second son of Captain Cross of Nelson, and was aged 26 years. Drinking out of the Teapot.—A reprehensible practice is sometimes indulged in by mothers cf allowing their children to drink cold tea from the spouts of teapots. We say “reprehensible,” because young children have not always the sense to drink cold tea only, and acci dents sometimes occur in consequence. An accident of this sort occurred two or three days ago in Dunedin, resulting in the child being so seriously scalded internally that death ensued. We believe that a fatal accident occurred in Auckland also, some time ago, from the same cause. A Deluge on a Small Scale. —The up river diggings in the Nelson province were last week visited with a downpour of rain considered exceptional even for the West Coast, which flooded all the creeks, and temporarily suspended mining operations. Railway Speed.— About three months since a new composition, consisting of resin and sand, for use in break blocks on railways, was invented by Mr Ross, of Williamstown, and a trial was given to it on the. Victorian railways, by using it in the blocks of one of tlio engines. Mr Meikle, superintendent of the locomotive department, Ims now sent in bis report on the invention, from, which it appears that by the old method the number of miles traversed by an engine without any alteration in the blocks was 4,000, but with the composition the engine ran 6,514 miles. There has been one disadvantage, however, and that is an increased tendency to take fire in proceeding down the declines. Mr Meikle suggests that further trials should be make. MARAVILLA 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 Tlieobroma, 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 couj.d not recommend a more agreeable or beverage.” Sold in packets only by all Grocers, of whom also may be had Taylor Brothers’ Original Homceopa- j thio Cocoa and Soluble Chocolate. Steam j Mills —Brick Lane, London, Export Chicory ! Mills, Bruges, Belgium, |

' The German Language.—A German paper, published in Melbourne, informs us that the Council of Education of New York, in view of the importance of the German language, have unanimously decreed that it shall be obligatory to teach it in all public schools in New York. We may further remark that at private schools iu New York, Boston, &e., the teaching of the German language has been already introduced. A good third of the schools in New York are purely German, and in them the teaching of the English language has been made compulsory, just as in the others the teaching of German is obligatory. Dogs and Poultry.—The Dog and Poultry Club of Sydney lias issued an attractive prize list. The first show will be held on the 14th December. Frost.— Frost lias played havoc with the potato crop in the Ciutha district. Encouraging.— A correspondent of an Invercargill paper writes from Athol as follows“As a proof of the agricultural capabilities of the country conterminous to the projected line of railway to Kingston, the following has just been brought under my notice: On Captain Iloweli s run a trial plot of 40 acres of ground was put under crop last year, which yielded the handsome return of 2800 bushels of wheat, being at the rate of 70 bushels to the acre. Encouraged by these prospects, an additional 100 acres have been turned up, and put under crop this season. Captain Howell has had what may be considered an exceptionally good flock. of lambs for the seasoD, 70 per cent being the amount quoted. In all, 22,000 sheep will be shorn on this run. The dry sheep will be washed, and the ewes cut in the grease. Shearing will commence in a few weeks.” Meat Preserving.— The New Zealand Meat Preserving Company (says the “ Timaru Herald” of the Bth ult.) com menced work for the season at its Waslidyke establishment on Monday, and such is the amount of work “ booked” that it is amply sufficient to keep the establishment in full swing till August, there being no less than 100,000 sheep already promised, to he turned into tinned meat or tallow. Harvest Prospects.— With regard to harvest prospects in the Oamaru district, the local paper says The prospects for the new season since the late rains have become very promising, and, providing the weather keeps dry and we are not troubled by blight or other disease, there is every prospect of a very heavy harvest. Coolie Labor. The “ Southland News” is informed that a gang of recently imported coolies, under a “ boss, has been engaged by a settler on the North Road. They are working at ditching, fencing, clearing, &c., and, it is said, give great satisfaction to their employer. The Rakaia Bridge.— The bridge over this most dangerous river is rapidly approaching completion. Only 115 out of the 639 piles remain to he driven, and the men are now getting them into position at the rate of three per working day. It will he quite two months or more before the pile-driving is finished. Trout. —These excellent fish have been successfully introduced tnto the streams near Akaroa. One was recently seen in a mill dam there, which, on being captured, was found to be sixteen inches long and nine in girth. The fish was again con--1 signed to its watery home. Trout were placed in this and other Akaroa streams in December, 1869, and this is, we believe, the first time they have been noticed since. Tench were also placed afterwards in the mill reservoir, hut they have not since been seen. Timaru ane Temuka Railway.— The “ Timaru Herald” of the 20th says Steady progress continues to be made with the cutting between LeCren’s Gully and the Masonic Hall. On the half nearest the town it is in places carried down to its full depth, and a great depth it looks from above ; that half will he completed in a week or two. The other half is not in so forward a state, having been commenced later. It will be fully a month before the whole of the section of the line will be completed. Eisn at Akaroa.— The Akaroa correspondent of the “ Fress states, that the harbor there is absolutely swarming with fish, and no one takes the trouble to catch them. Ho also states that the Leicester wethers, which have just been shorn by Mr Shadbolt, have produced fleeces weighing 12Jlhs and 13lbs respectively. They were bred by Mr Inman, of German Bay. Where the digestive powers are so weak as to cause imperfect Assimilation, and in many cases laying the foundation for Counsumption and Wasting, the use of Savory & Moores s Pancreatic Emulsion and Pancreatine, already so highly approved by the Medical faculty, will be found among the most potent remedial agents ; they effect the digestion of Cod Liver Oil and prevent nausea, while they efficiently supply the place o fthe oil when the stomach rei jectsit. These facts areattested by the published records of medical men, extracts from which accompany each bottle, price from 2s to 21s. ! Savory & Moore, 143, New Bond Street, jjon- ! don, and all Chemists. Note—Savory & ! Moore’s name and trade mark on each bottle. I April 22 IS7L &2w.