News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 48, 23 December 1871, Page 12

News of the Week.

Tlie following are the cases already down for hearing at the ensuing session of the Supreme Court:—John Mulhern, violent assault; Alfred Henry Holmes, larceny ; Hoani Warren, horse stealing ; Charles McCarthy, assault with intent; George Bent, two charges of sheep stealing and one of malicious injury to sheep. The various courts for the hearing of Divorce Cases, for the disposal of cases within the jurisdiction of the ViceAdmiralty Court, and those in the Bankruptcy Court, were formally opened on Wednesday and adjourned till the 12th January next, for a reason we have already announced. We are informed that the Telegraph Office narrowly escaped the risk of being set on fire by an explosion of gas on Sunday evening. We are told that one of the gas-burners had, although extinguished, been allowed to remain open, thus filling one of the rooms with gas. Luckily the strong effluvium attracted the attention of some one on the premises in time to prevent what might have been a serious aceident. The date of the inter-colonial boat race has been altered to the 19th of February. This entirely relieves our crew of the right to grumble, and if they are not ready for the fray on the day appointed the fault will now be wholly their own.

A meeting of artizans was held on Tuesday evening at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, for the purpose of initiating a movement to secure to the building trade the benefits of the Saturday half holiday. The business done was of a. purely formal or private nature, but it is intended to make known the wishes and intentions of the promoters at a public meeting, to be held about the eud of the present month. Many large contractors of the city have expressed themselves favorably disposed toward granting the concession asked, and so far the artizans have reasons to congratulate themselves on the prospect of success attaching to their present efforts. We notice in our exchanges from the southern provinces that similar meetings have been held, at which the leading citizens have taken an active part in furthering the wishes of those most to be benefited. We hope to see these preliminary proceedings carried to a successful issue. About a quarter past one o’clock on Sunday a fire was discovered on the premises of Mr Tompkins, grocer, in Tory street. The fire bells were immediately set going and the fire engines were speedily on the ground, that from the Te Aro station being first to arrive. The members of the Armed Constabulary were quickly on the ground, and saved whatever it was possible to save from the building as well as the furniture from the houses adjoining. The engine from the central station was next to arrive, and soon got to work, but the supply of water was wholly insufficient, and the men had to stop pumping. The wells in the neighborhood having been drained, the hose was laid on to the sea, from whence it required the power of five engines to draw the water, which, however, was not of much avail, as the fire in the building had so far burnt itself out that orders were given to use the hooks for the purpose of demolishing what was standing! The exertions of the constabulary were very creditable, as were those also of the police. Captains Moss and Whiteford were untiring in directing the efforts of their men, who performed a considerable amount of hard work. The stock was a small one, and very little of it was saved. The building, we are informed, was insured for £250 in the New Zealand Insurance Company, the stock being a total loss. The small grocers seern to be the most unfortunate in the way of fires, four of them having been burnt out in the space of about a year —Mr Levy, Mr Harris, Mr Williams, and Mr Tompkins. The Blanche left the harbor at two p.m. on Wednesday to visit the northern ports, her cruise terminating at Auckland. The date of her return to this port is uncertain. During the fore part of the day the town was inundated by the men from the ship, who, following the example of the officers, passed the last few hours in bidding adieu to the various connections formed during their visit to the port. What to do with our dairy produce is a question about which producers are sorely puzzled just now. A dairy farmer from the Hutt brought in a quantity of fresh butter on Saturday, and could only succeed in disposing of it by the slow and troublesome process of hawking it from house to house at Gd per lb. This is a price insufficient to give any return for investment in stock, and when to this is added the expense connected with the second business of disposal by hawking, it is time dairy farmers, either by themselves or by a farmers’ organisation in each district, resorted to potting for export. Butter in this shape might be sent to England, as has been done by some of the other provinces, or, better still, to some of the markets of the West Coast of the Middle Island, where farm produce of all kinds, if of good quality, will realise remunerative rates at all seasons of the year. It must be apparent to everybody that the present prices are very discouraging. The price of butter is so low at the Hutt in consequence of the want of a market that people prefer to give the milk to their pigs, the price at which it is sold there, 4d per lb, being nothing like an equivalent to the payment of the labor required in its production. The Eangatira on Tuesday put out on the wharf her cargo of wool from Blackhead. This, and the huge pile of bales awaiting shipment in the barque Annie, completely covered the whole of the flooring of the outer T, so much so that on the arrival of the Claud Hamilton in the afternoon there was no little difficulty in clearing a gangway for the bustling little traffic usually created by the arrival of every steamer. The wool for the Electra monopolises the whole of the T alongside which the vessel is moored, an unusually large amount having come to hand. Both presses are dumping for the ship, and at her present rate of stowage she must soon complete her loading. The Annie having only one dumping press, a good deal of overtime is made on fine evenings, so rapidly is her wool arriving. The street end of the wharf was also crowded with dray loads of wool yesterday, and in no season has there ever been so much wool on the wharf in a single day. The clip is coming in in such unprecedentedly large quantity this season

that fears are entertained that the market will be completely glutted. There is not sufficient shipping in the port to take away the stock coming to hand, and unsuccessful inquiries have been forwarded to some of the other ports of the colony for suitable vessels to load here for London. Ah Gee, the Chinaman who was stabbed on Wednesday night, is in a very precarious condition. The greatest danger, which cannot yet be ascertained, is whether or not the lungs have been penetrated. Should this prove to be the case little hope is entertained of saving bis life. The boating fraternity have gone in with a will, with the intention of repeating their victories of last year over the aquatic people of Nelson. By the Taranaki, which leaves Wellington for Nelson on Saturday night, will be sent over the whaleboat Tito Kowaru with a professional crew and an amateur crew. The names of the former crew are Woods, Lennox, Walden, Jones, and Coffee, who will be piloted by the veteran O’Meara. The amateur crew are not yet definitely settled. A pair-oared skiff will be sent over to compete in the amateur skiff race, and also two single outriggers, which will be rowed in the race for professionals, one by Woods and the other by Lennox; in the race for amateurs in single outriggers the boats will likely be rowed by R. Johnson and Brown. At the Nelson regatta it is customary to insert in the programme a race confined to members of fire brigades or volunteers, the crew of four to be selected from one company. It is highly probable that a crew will be obtained from No 1 Company Wellington Rifle Volunteers to go over to Nelson to compete its race. Altogether Wellington forwards to the Nelson Regatta this year a formidable band, who have every expectation of repeating their performances of last year, when they beat the Nelson boats so triumphantly in the waters of Wellington harbor. The Australian Mutual Provident Society is just now keenly contesting for life assurance policies with the Government scheme. A correspondent in an Otago paper asserts that the bonuses attached to the Mutual principle is no advantage to assurers ; that a man pays an extra sum for assuring in a mutual office, and that lie gets no more than this extra sum paid back again in the shape of bonus. In answer to a statement made by the agent of the Australian Society that the expenses of the Government assurance officer amounted to 3o per cent upon the premiums received, the writer says But this is very soon set right. There were 448 polices when the Commissioners’reports were laid before the Assembly. There are now nearly three times that number issued, and the expense of management, instead of being 35 per cent, is less than 12| per cent—not ten per cent —the loading allowed by Government tables. The Government Assurance scheme is, commercially, a very great success —presenting this fact, unexampled in the history of life assurance, that even now, in its very infancy it more than pays its working expenses by its loading. During the first year of its operations, the Australian Miutual Provident got 43 policies, and its working expenses were over 41 per cent of the premiums. Iu the same time, Government got 1250 policies, and the expense of management was less than 12s- per cent. The old N.Z S.N. Company’s building, since the completion of the extensive alterations, looks quite revived and refreshed. After all that has been said anent the ornaments about to be planted so hurriedly on the reclaimed land, we think there are few of them likely to eclipse in its neat and unostentatious appearance of respectability the new face of this old friend. The old days of general dealing and private wharf accommodation having been replaced by a more specific method of conducting the mercantile transactions of the city, Messrs Bethune and Hunter, no longer content to hide their lights in the darkness of the uttermost ends of Te Aro, have concentrated in a handsome building in a position about the best in the city. An inquest is to be held on Tuesday, at Masterton, to enquire into the cause of death of a man who had fallen from the roof of a lean-to attached to Tuck’s hotel, when laboring under the effects of liquor supplied at that establishment. After the accident the poor fellow was put into an out-house, where he lingered until death put an end to his sufferings. There never was case which more demanded an inquest, though I understand one would not have been held had not constable Donelly very properly interfered in the matter. iiAt Greytown, on Monday last, a public meeting was held for the purpose of hearing the reply from the Minister of Public Works to the memorial adopted at a previous meeting relative to a diversion of the line of railway through the district so as to make it better meet the present and future requirements of the settlers of the Wairarapa. Dr Spratt announced that at a public meeting held at Masterton on Saturday evening a

memorial for the same object had been adopted, and that Messrs Renall, Bannister, Masters, and Perry had been appointed a deputation to wait on the Government od. the subject. He also read a letter he had received from the Public Works Office, to the effect “ that instructions have been given to have the subject fully inquired into when the line is finally set out.” Some discussion took place relative to the meaning which was to be attached to this sentence, in which Messrs Revans, Waterhouse, Pharazyn, and Haynes took part, and eventually a standing railway committee was appointed to watch over the interests of the district, comprising the following gentlemen, namely : —Messrs Spratt, Arnot, Hast* well, Hirschberg, Moles, Jackson, Tully, G. Beetham, Bannister, Renall, Masters, and Perry. Mr Wakelin drew attention to the fact that expenses had been already incurred in connection with the movement, and that, as nothing could be done without funds, those who could not give their time would perhaps not be unwilling to subscribe to pay for the services of others ; but on Mr Arnot pointing out that a finance committee had been already appointed Mr Wakelin withdrew his resolution, on the understanding that this finance committee would carry out the purposes for which it was appointed. The proceedings then terminated. A public meeting was held at'the Town Hall, Greytown, on Monday afternoon, to adopt rules and elect office bearers for “ the Wairarapa Institute and Library,” which is about being established in this district. Owing to the inconvenient day and hour chosen for holding the meeting, and the short notice given, the attendance was not so large as the importance of the subject ought to have secured. The Hon Mr Waterhouse presided. The secretary read the rules of the Wellington Athemeum, with such alterations as the subcommittee had recommended, and these were put seriatim to the meeting, and, after some discussion, adopted. Mr Waterhouse was unanimously chosen President of the Institute, and Mr Revans chairman and treasurer of the committee. Messrs Revans, Haynes, Arnot,Catselberg, Wakelin, Hirschberg, Barton, Beetham, Carkeek, and Pharazyn were elected members of the committee. Mr A. 11. Arnot was appointed secretary. It was resolved that the Town Hall should be purchased from the trustees for the purposes of the institute ; aud that application should be mado to the trustees of the Greytown town lands for the funds which have already accrued from the trust, and which by an act of the General Assembly, and agreeably witli a resolution passed by a meeting of the members of the Small Farm Association, are to be expended for the purpose of maintaining educational establishments, a public library, and for other purposes of public utility in Greytown. The subscription to the institute, which will give all the privileges of membership, was fixed at 10s annually, to be paid half-yearly in advance, commencing on the Ist January next. The next meeting of the committee is to be held at the reading room on the first Wednesday in the new year. Mr Waterhouse offered.to supply the reading room with several London newspapers and periodicals, and donations of books have been offered by several other gentlemen. There appears every prospect, therefore, of the institute proving a success. A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. The performances of Austin and Edwards have been arranged to come off on the Basin Reserve, the necessary permission having been obtained from the authorities. This change has been found necessary on account of the unsuitable nature of the ground at the Mount Cook Barracks, which would in all probability have prevented the accomplishment of the extraordinary feats advertised in the time set down. The pedestrians willlaborunder the disadvantage of intercepting the view from the hill, but it is to be hoped the public will not take advantage of this circumstance, as the charge for admission to the ground is exceedingly moderate. Austin seems to be a marvel in his way. He stands sft 7-3-in, and weighs Bst 12|lbs. His first performance was at Dalston, England, where in May, 1863, he ran eight miles in 57 min 45 secs. A week afterwards, when only 12 years of age, he beat F. Malbrough—four miles, for £5 a-side. His first appearance in Australia was on the 6th of July, 186/, at th,e Albert Grounds, Sydney. There, in the presence of 4000 spectators, he ran 10 miles in 66 min 3 secs. At Newcastle in the following year, in a match for £SO a side, to run 18^miles in two hours, he accomplished the distance in 1 hour 56 min 14 sec. He was defeated in a similar match at Maitland a fortnight afterwards. In November, 1868, lie won a ten mile silvercup, starting from scratch against all comers. From November, 1868, to May, 1870, in varioua parts of New South Wales, he ran 47 ten mile races, 3 eighteen mile races, and 25 five mile races ; 32 of the ten mile races being run within the hour. Edwards’s perform, ances are equally remarkable, although we have no record of his doings. He is only eclipsed in the colonies by one man —-Lvell, of Melbourne, who has beaten al.

opponents, excepting, of course, the renowned Topley; As we have every assurance that the performances are ol the most genuine kind we hope to see them well patronised. We understand that Mr Arthur Dobson has been appointed Resident Government Engineer for theprovince of Marlborough, and will, on behalf of the Government, generally superintend the railway works in that province. We observe that the Colonial Govern ment is using its endeavors to procure the general adoption by shippers and dealers in New Zealand flax of the term “ phormium.” The following is the copy of a circular issued by the Colonial Secretary to the various governments Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington,3rd Nov : Sir, —A board of commissioners, recently appointed in (his colony to make certain inquiries respecting New Zealand flax, has recommended that the term ‘phormium ’ should be adopted as the designation of New Zealand flax, or phormium tenax, as being more in keeping with the names applied to other roping fibres with which this article has to compete in foreign markets. Instructions have ac cordiugly been issued to the officers of Customs to cause the term ‘ phormium ’ instead of New Zealand flax to be used in future in export entries, shipping bills, ships’ manifests, and quarterly trade returns. I should feel much obliged to you if you would be good enough to move the Customs authorities in your colony to require the term ‘phormium ’ to be used in the same manner, as such a course would tend very materially to hasten its general adoption.—W. Gisborne. 3 ’ Evans, the person accused of stealing certain papers from the office of Mr [Roberts, atWanganui.basbeen discharged by the magistrate, Major Edwards, who remarked that he had never heard of such an extraordinary case in all his ten years’ experience. There was not anything in the evidence to make out even a prima jxcie case. At about one o’clock on Saturday an accident occurred on the Karon road, about three quarters of a mile from town, that might have resulted fatally. The driver of a trap belonging to Mr Marks, of Lambton Quay, bad occasion to adjust the harness, when the horse became suddenly restive and the trap was thrown down the bank, which at that place is very steep. The horse luckily managed to free itself from the trap and escaped injury. There are several places on this road where a post and rail fence would be most useful in preventing accidents of the kind just mentioned. Evidence of the coming of that millennium when manual labor in all the manufacturing branches will be superseded by machinery,comes upon us fast and furious. The latest novelties supplied by mechanical genius in the shape of machinery were those by which the tailor is enabled to supply trousers by the mile, or a suit of clothes in four hours from the taking of the measure, and that by which many a poor cow has been enabled to offer up her thanks for being saved the punishment inflicted upon her by the hands of unskilful milkers. Succeeding these comes a description of machinery which, though not quite new to the world, is new to Wellington. Mr Lindsay, of Lambton Quay, has recently imported a complete set of machinery for the manufacture of boots. By one of these machines the skin or side of leather is rolled to a hardness and a uniformity in thickness which ould never be obtained by all the belaboring on the old lapstone process, which made one perspire merely to look at. Next in order in the process comes what we suppose it is correct to call the stamper, where the complete sole, heel, or heel stiffner, is cut out with an ease resembling that with which an experienced cook cuts out with her stamper the dough flowers for pie ornamentation. This is performed by a machine of the guillotine kind, which, by a convenient regulation of the pressure, comes down on the knives, which of course are detached from the machine, and are sup plied in sizes and shapes equal to all known developments of the human foot. Next comes what is termed a skyvering machine, which does all the levelling, an operation over which so much of the valuable time of the gentle craft has been absorbed in sharpening and shaving. Another machine makes all the brad-holes in sole and heel in the space of a few seconds. So that on the completion of these few preliminaries, the parts are placed in the hands of the workmen to do what the machines are not yet capable of performing the putting of them together. The inspection was highly suggestive of an idea that kept possession of our mind during the whole of the visit, namely, that the purchase of boots ought soon to form a very insignificant item in one’s expenditure. The firing for choice of company 7 representatives for No 1 Company took place on Saturday. We have not been furnished with any score of the firing, but we are informed that ten men fired and made an average of 60; Mr Halse making 86 points out of a possible 100, Mr Gray coming next with 70, The

latter gentleman made an extraordinary score at 400 yards, his trial shot being a bull’s eye, which was followed up by five others, making his score at this range the highest. This shooting is considerably higher than that made at Christchurch, a statement of which we made at the time, find which was considered extraordinary. Mr M'Lellan, a member of the Artillery, fired with the members of No. 1 Rifles. His score reached 61, and this throws out Mr Zohrab as a company representative, he having stood fourth on the list of company representatives till Mr M’Lellan fired. The four who represent the Artillery now are Messrs M’Tavish, M’Credie, M'Lellan, and Brogan. A meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the Pier Hotel, for the purpose of making arrangements lor celebrating the 32nd Anniversary of the colony. Mr T. M'Kenzie was called to the chair. The Chairman read the advertisement convening the meeting, and explained the objects for which it bad been called. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The following gentlemen were then appointed a committee, viz. : —Captains Rhodes, Halliday, MHntyre, Johnston, Kreeffc, Sellars, and Deck, Messrs Logan, Ames, Stuart, Cook, Cooper, Kent, M'Ker.zie, H. Smith, Gannaway, Snow, Buchannan, Mosely, and Boyd, with power to add to their number. It was unanimously resolved that the Anniversary of the colony be celebrated by a regatta, to be held on Monday the 22nd January. A programme of the races was arranged, judges appointed, and a starter. Mr Boyd was elected hon. secretary and collector, and requested to canvass the town for subscriptions. Two additions to the usual programme were introduced iu order to induce the boating fraternity of other provinces to visit Wellington and compete for the prizes' — viz, a four-oared outrigger race, open to all comers, prize £2O. Second, a fouroared race, open to members of volunteer corps and fire brigades in the several provinces. The Treasurer announced that there would bo three cups to be contested foi —one at present in the hands of the telegraph club, one by the owners of the Emily Clarke, and Messrs Shaw, Savill’s cup, to arrive per Queen Bee. After the the transaction of a considerable amount of routine business the meeting adjourned until Thursday, the 4th January, after passing a vote of thanks to the chairman. A gentleman furnishes us with the gratifying intelligence .that a couple of young blackbirds have made their appearance in the neighborhood of the Wesleyan Chapel, Manners street. It is supposed that they are the offspring of the birds released from the Botanical Gardens some little time ago. The doings of our small band of acclimatisers seem to have been tolerably successful in results, if even we should have only to chronicle this fact in addition to the announcement made by a correspondent a day or two ago as to the successful breeding of the larks let loose recently in the province. We take the following from the Auckland “ Southern Cross ” : - The practice of making use of the signature to a cheque for the purpose of cancelling the stamp is open to the very grave objection that the stamp is liable to fall off at some future time, and thus leave the cheque without signature, or with only a very imperfect one. The Commissioner of Stamps has decided that, “ As to stamps on cheques* and drafts, th,e additional stamp of one penny, when adhesive, must be cancelled in the manner provided by section 5 of the act of 1870;” and the opinion of Mr Whitaker as to the mode of cancellation is as follows : - “ After careful consideration I come to the conclusion that the effect of the act of 1871 is simply to alter the stamp duty payable on cheques from one penny to twopence, and to leave the mode of cancellation as it stood prior to the passing of the act.” In accordance with this ruling the banks have agreed to accept cheques bearing on the corner next the block, "stamps cancelled by the initials of the drawers and the date of using, the signature to the cheque to occupy its usual place without reference to the position of the stamps. The New South Wales Legislature are invited to go much farther than conferring the right to vote against public houses to women. Mr R. Foster has introduced the elective franchise to women of twentyone years and upward, but disqualifying them from having a seat in the Assembly. The Auckland “ Southern Cross” says that during a debate in the Provincial Council relative to the contemplated Industrial Exhibition, at Auckland, a statement was made by an honorable member that cannot fail to be received with deep and general interest. It was stated that an English company is in process of formation, having for its object the preparation of phormium and its manufacture into the various fabrics of which it is capable. It appears that the enterprise — which is already so far advanced that the requisite machinery is in course of construction—will be sustained by a subscribed capital of £50,000, and will have the seat of industry on the Wairoa, within

this province. It was even stated that a portion of the machinery is at present being made iu Auckland. The quartz reefs in the Inangahua district, up the Grey District, West Coast Goldfields, are turning out wonderfully well. A private telegram received yesterday states that from the indications discovered along the whole line of reef—some three miles—it is probable that the district will prove a second Thames. No machinery is at work as yet, but a heavy plant is being erected, and a large quantity of s.one is awaiting crushing. Indiscriminate selections of the stone have been tested in parcels of 5 cwt. and upwards at the Bank of New Zealand, Hokitika, and proved to average from 4to 7ozs. per ton. Should half this yield be maintained, an enormously rich goldfield will be opened up. A motion was recently introduced in the New South Wales Parliament affirming the necessity for having one uniform stamp for postage and duty, and reducing the size by one third. The mover pointed out the inconveniences which were experienced, especially in the country, by having two sets of stamps when one set would be sufficient, and alluded to the difficulty of getting postage stamps when once Sydney was left. The size of the receipt; stamp was also very akward, and rendered it impossible to get the necessary number of stamps on to an ordinary paysheet. The Government opposed the motion on the ground that ■it would be impossible to separate the income received from postage from that procured from stamp duty. The motion was lost. A petition was recently presented to the Governor praying that the sentence upon the prisoner Francis Innes, convicted at Auckland some months ago of embezzlement of the Imperial funds, be remitted. The Colonial Secretary has forwarded the following. . reply to the promoters of the petition Colonial Secretary's Office (Judicial Branch), Wellington, 7th December, 1871. Sir,—l have the honor to inform you and the other residents of Wanganub who have petitioned his Excellency the Governor praying him to remit the unexpired portion of the sentence of the prisoner Francis Innes, that, after communicating with his Honor the Chief Justice on the subject, I am unable to advise his Excellency to comply with the prayer of the petitioners. —I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, W. Gisborne. Lieut.-Colonel M'Donnell, Wanganui.” The official inquiry into the recent fire at the Choral Hall, Auckland, proved conclusively that the fire was caused by au incendiary. It appeared during, the investigation that the police force ot the city is so small that three or at most four men are all that are available for night watching. The jury returned a verdict.of incendiarism, and recommended an increase in the police force. One witness said that had a small hydrant been available the fire could have easily been extinguished shortly after it was discovered. Recently a Royal Commission appointed by the Government of New South Wales to make diligent and careful inquiry into the working of the Goldfields’ Act, and to examine and report upon the best means of procuring permanent water supply on the different goldfields of the colony, presented its report. Amongst other things the Commissioners regard the establishment of a separate department of mines under a responsible Minister as a necessity. They are unanimously 7 of opinion that the taking out of a miner’s right should be considered as absolutely necessary to conferring upon any individual the status of a gold miner, and that the possession of such a document should be an indispensable condition precedent to any authority to mine for gold ou any of the public lands of the colony. The Commissioners recommend a change in the leasing regulations. They consider the frontage system a very doubtful advantage ; that “ shepherding is an unnecessary evil ; and they are favorable to compulsory registration in all frontage claims and, generally, to “ liberal areas.” They think large areas would be more likely to stimulate prospecting than the system of giving money rewards for the discovery of new goldfields. Iu regard to water supply the Commissioners are of opinion that licenses should be granted for race-cutting, and for the erection of large and permanent dams. They agree unanimously that the construction of waterworks on the goldfields should not be undertaken by the Government, but be left to private enterprise, “ with special Government encouragement.” The Commissioners also enter upon the questions of delay in proclaiming goldfields —the abuse of free selection upon auriferous lands—goldmining upon church and school lands — commonage, mining partnerships, and mining on private property. The sl2 Lever Watch, 'No. 13,580, pur chased from Chas. P. Norton & Co. 86 Nassau street, New York, January sth, lias 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. WILSON, Sec. American S. M. Co. N. Y., New York, July 10, 1870.

Arrangements have been made for holding the first sitting of the Supreme Court at Picton in February next. Mr Garrett, a settler in the Kaikoura district, was severely injured lately by a kick from a horse, whilst he was seated on the shafts of a dray. Mr Garrett’s leg was broken by the force of the kick. The “Southern Cross” shows weighty reasons against peripatetic Parliaments, and remarks: —“ Although not ostensibly emanating from the provincial party, such a result at that witnessed in the House of Representatives shows unmistakably the ascendancy which private and local interests can command when pitted against the broader general interest of the whole colony. Much as the conduct of public affairs might be benefited by a permanent change, it seems beyond question that the expense and confusion resulting would far more than counterbalance any possible good derivable from such a singular arrangement as a wandering Parliament.” We learn that the recent stormy weather has resulted in further serious damage to the overland road from Christchurch tollokitika. Bridgeshavebeen destroyed and portions of the road washed away. Mail communication is, however, still maintained. Prior to the adjournment of the District Court of Westland, at Greymouth, on the 13th inst, an address was presented to Judge Ward expressing the satisfaction of the legal profession with the manner in which his Honor had discharged his functions and the regret which the members of the Bar felt at his departure. The address attributed the large increase which had taken place in the business of the Court to the efficient and energetic manner in which the duties appertaining to the Judge had been performed. The t estimonial was signed by the whole of the Bar, and Mr Ward in acknowledgment expressed his thanks for the honor paid him, and attributed much of his success to the cordial co-operation of the profession. Mr Shepherd, the member forWaitnea South, recently addressed his constituents upon the recent session of Parliament :—“ After noticing the various proposals affecting the constitution of the colony, he expressed himself favorable to a continuance of the provincial system, the powers of the Councils to be enlarged and defined, aud the number of provinces reduced to two in the North Island, and three in the Middle Island. With regard to the Education Bill, he pointed out the defects as to school fees, compulsory attendance, and the constitution of the Central Boards, and explained the nature of the amendments proposed- by the Nelson members and conceded by the Government, all tending to assimilate the general scheme to our existing system. He defended Mr Yogel’s mission, and the general policy of the Government as to immigration and public works ; strongly advocated the construction of cheap tram ways in preference to dray roads ; was ofopinion that the Nelson and Eoxhill line would be speedily commenced, and, alluding to an interview he had that morning with his Houor the Superintendent, added “ I believe that it is as certain as any event which has not actually occurred cau be.” He referred to the reduction iu the capitation grants; believed that the method of apportioning the sums allowed to Road Boards would not work, and having noticed in succession numerous acts of general or local interest which had passed the Assembly or Council of this province, concluded a lengthened and very lucid speech, by stating his conviction that the times of depression, both for New Zealand and Nelson, were passing away, and that we were entering on a period of renewed prosperity. Mr Shepherd was most attentively listened to and repeatedly warmly applauded, and the proceedings closed with a vote of taanks to him. Au amended “ Permissive Bill ’ has been passed by the Auckland Provincial Council, and by a recent division the clause empowering only adult males to sign memorials under the Aet was struck out. Females can now exercise their voices in regard to the licensing of public houses. According to a report presented to the Auckland Provincial Council by the Public Vaccinator only twenty-seven children were submitted to him during five months. 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 1 Maravilla’ Cocoa. Adapting their perfect system of preparation to this finest of all species of tile 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 aud 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*

The “Wanganui Chronicle’’ says there are no fewer than one hundred and fortytwo rivers, streams, and strearaleU botwpen Wanganui aad New Flymouui, many of them insignificant threads in summer, but even the smallest o them sure to swell into a brawling brook after a heavy rain. They are a capital feature of the country, but rather expensive in a road-making point of view. A bill for reducing the salary of future Governors has been read' a first time in the New South Wales Legislature. . The London “ Times’ correspondent in New Zealand, says the “ Spectator _ reports that the Colonial Government is in great want of laborers to execute large public works, such as railways and roads, and intends to offer very good terms, namely, a cheap passage, two years ot guaranteed employment upon public works, and a block of land m freehold close to the work to be executed. Should English laborers decline these terms, sistanee will be sought in Germany and Scandinavia. Wo greatly fear that in this country at least the desired supply of men will not be obtained without the addition of a free passage. A navvy can save ten pounds for himself and his wife : but a navwy will not go, and an agncu - tural laborer, who will, has no ten pounds to spend. The object of the demand is. we presume, to obtain a more respectable class of settler ; but it would be better to trust to the judgment of a colonial agent, and allow him to offer the only terms which attract English laborers at once, namely, a free passage for the family, a pound a week for the two years, lower wages than the current rate —and the block of land at the end. A correspondent of the Melbourne “ Argus” writing on the subject of the Polynesian labor traffic contradicts many of the statements made as to its abuses. With regard to the murder of Bishop Patteson he says : -It seems to have been taken for granted by Bishop Perry, and the other rev. gentlemen, that the murder of Bishop Patteson was in revenge for natives having been kidnapped from Nukapu, and that the cocoanut leaf with the five knots, which the rev gentlemen styled a “ palm branch,” signified the number of natives stolen, while it was not proved that any natives whatever had been stolen from this particular island. Numerous other murders that have happened iu savage lands, and in those very islands, at times and under such circumstances that kiduapping could not be alleged as the cause, were not even alluded to. The murder at Erromanga, of Williams, the first missionary to the New Hebrides, before ever the labor traffic commenced, has never been asserted to have been caused by kidnapping. The Eev Mr Baker was murdered at liji, where the labor, traffic has never been carried on ; and Spiers and MTntosh, two quiet and unoffending settlers, were lately murdered at the same place by a tribe that they-had long traded with, and been friendly with.' While I was on Tanna I had a white overseer killed and eaten by the adjacent tribe, which was hostile to the tribe I was living amongst, but I well knew that kidnapping was not the cause. Savage natives are very superstitious, and a very slight cause might arouse them to murder. I was once very near getting into trouble at Tanna because I had been observed by some natives to put an insect in a bottle for the purpose of examining it which caused them to imagine that 1 did so for some purpose of sorcery, of which they stand in great dread. Natives may have left Nukapu voluntarily, but against the wishes of their relations, and mav have aroused them to the murder of Bishop Patteson; but I have never found or heard of natives so indiscriminate in their revenge. Or sickness and mortality mav have recently occurred on the island and as they do not understand religion, ignorant natives are very superstitious about it, and are likely to ascribe Ly calamity to anything they do not understand. While on Tanna, I was desirous that a missionary or teacher of .i,„ Presbyterian mission should be located near my place, but the natives would not hear of the proposal, as it had somehow cot into their heads that the residence ot a missionary or teacher m the neighborhood would cause all their wives to become barren. It is not therefore at all clear to my mind that Bishop Patteson s death must be ascribed to revenge for kidnaprdng ; and the fact of their not keeping and eating the body, as they would have been likely to do if the murder was from revenge, would rather suggest some other j e arn that New South Wales, with its area of 300,000 square miles, and its population of half a million souls has Lind out that its existing land laws ha, e not fulfilled the expectations of their authors, and so the Government proposes io make a clean sweep of the existing chutes and to embody m one act the whole of the land legislation of the colony. One of the cardinal principles of the bill is free selection before survey, combined with a system of extended credit. The free selector pays one fourth of Ins purchase money down. He is not called upon for any further instalments during

the next three years ; and at the expiration of that interval he commences the liquidation of the balance by ten annual payments, no charge being made on account of interest. He may take up a “ frontage block” of 640 acres at £1 pel acre, and a “ back block” of a corresponding area at 5s per acre. Within the three years just referred to the selector must effect improvements of the value of £1 per acre on the front, and of that ot 7s 6d per acre on the back block ; and be must also habitually reside upon his allotment. But for non-resident selectors a proviso ot a somewhat novel character is introduced. In consideration of the residential condition being waived in their favor, they must pay 50 per cent more in the shape of purchase money, and expend a corresponding addition in improvements. Failure to comply with these conditions before the end of three years from the date of selection involves the forfeiture ot the land in all cases. Conditional putchasers under the act of 1861 will have an opportunity of bringing their purchases under the new law, and the amount they have hitherto paid in the shape of interest to the Crown will he credited to them* as part of the principal. With respect to what are called “ pastoral homesteads,” the lessees of Crown lands are to be allowed to purchase not less than 3200 nor more than. 16,000 acres, at the rate of one pound per acre for all laud within one mile of a water frontage, and five shillings per acre outside of that limit , but in no case is there to be more than one mile of water frontage for every five miles of depth. Similar conditions as to residence is imposed on the pastoral as on the agricultural selector, and his. mode of payment is the same; but he is not required to expend more on improvements during the three years than 7s 6d per acre. Where he seeks from exemption from the residential condition he is authorised to obtain it on an additional 50 per cent on his purchase-money, and on the sum he lays out in improvements. We observe that a power of appeal to the Supreme Court or to the Circuit Court of the district is to be allowed to lessees of runs who may ho dissatisfied w’ith the appraisement of their runs by the Minister of Land. The administration of the public estate is nob to be placed above, but is to be subject to the law. We take the following from the Greymouth “ Evening Star” : —We have had the felicity of receiving, direct from Fiji, some files of the paper printed there, and of ascertaining therefrom that professionally, and as compared with Levuka, Greymouth is a paradise. The first printer who settled in Fiji, an early resident of the West Coast, 'left the island because, though he was likely to obtain a competency and a “ bubble reputation” as a publisher, he was more likely, through the influences of the climate, to lose his wife. The proprietors of the “Fiji Gazette,” who succeeded. him as representative of the Fourth Estate, seem to be in even a worse predicament. On the the 4th of November they claim the indulgence of their readers under the following “perplexing circumstances.” “ When we arrived in Levuka, from Sydney, last June, we had with us a staff of six stalwarth young printers, all eager to distinguish themselves in this, until lately 7 -, terra incognita, full of life and spirits, and vigor. Of these death hath laid hold of some : the others found no delight iu the pleasures of Levuka, and betoook themselves back to Australian climes; and the last of our gallant band now lies in our office stricken with fever, and a day or two since was at death’s door.” It is no matter of wonder that, under such circumstances, the “Gazette” should cease to be published more than once a week, arid that the publisher—Mr F. P. Atkinson —should appeal to a generous public “ to consider the difficul ties of a position which no human perception could have foreseen, and nohuman power could have obviated.” Where the digestive powers are so weak a 3 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 i the 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 2ls. Savory & Moore, 143, New Bond Street, London, and all Chemists. Note— Savory & Moore’s name and trade mark on each bottle. April 22 1871. 5 2w. 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 tried 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. —Lo the proprietors of Norton’s Camomile Pills.