News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 49, 30 December 1871, Page 9

News of the Week.

We understand that the memorial in favor of the diversion of the line of railway through the Wairarapa, and the adoption of a more central route, has been very numerously signed, and that it has obtained the signature of the Hon Mr Waterhouse and a number of the largest landowners in the district. The Foxton and Palmerston Tramway is being rapidly proceeded with. About a mile of the line is completed and out of hand, but the progress for the next week or two cannot be expected to be so rapid on account of the destruction of a considerable portion of the sleepers, which were in a condition ready for laying when they were devoured by the fire which traversed so large a portion of the district on Friday night last. The contractor, Mr Dalrymple, is making every endeavor to push on the construction as rapidly as possible, a considerable portion of the line in advance of that already completed being formed ready for the laying of the sleepers. The Government p.s. Luna, left on Wednesday night for Auckland, via Manakau, with the Hon Mr Vogel, the Hon Col. Fielding, Mr W.H. Webb, Mr James Brogden, and a number of other gentlemen. It is singular that the three gentlemen—whose presence in the colony is wholly due to Mr Vogel's mission to England—should have been in Wellington at the same time, and should all have been passengers with Mr Vogel to Auckland. The Luna is to be at Onehunga in time for catching the out-going San Francisco mail steamer; upon that condition only was Colonel Fielding able to remain in Wellington so as to conclude the arrangement to which reference is made elsewhere.

There will shortly be no less than three elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives. The seat for the Wairau district, which has recently been resigned by Mr Eyes, who has accepted the post of Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands for the province of Marlborough, will be contested by Mr Seyoiour, the present Superintendent of the province, and Mr Ward, each of which gentleman has a good following and will command a large number of votes. Mr Ralph Eichardson has, we believe, vacated his seat for the district of Nelson suburbs, in consequence of private affairs requiring his presence in England. The candidates spoken of are Mr J. C. Richmond and Mr Luckie, editor of the " Nelson Colonist." The contest will probably be a very severe one, as it is known that the constituency is tolerably equally divided in political opinion. The seat for the Wakatipu district, rendered vacant by the acceptance of office by Mr Haughton, will not, it is expected, draw out many candidates, and probably a local man will be returned. A few days ago we announced that there was a probability that; the offer made by C. E. Haughton, Esq, M.H.E., to place his services gratuitously at the disposal of the Government for the purpose of initiating the active administration of the provisions of the Public Works Act relating to the goldfields, would be accepted. Since then the subject has engaged the serious consideration of the Government, and it has been decided that the importance of the duties which Mr Haughton offered to undertake was such that the Government did not see their way clear to make any appointment of a temporary and honorary character. It has been found that some permanent officer, responsible to the Government, was absolutely essential for the satisfactory discharge of the duties required for giving practical effect to the provisions of the act relating to goldfields, and Mr Haughton has, we understand, consented to accept the post of Under Secretary of Public Works on the Goldfields, and has resigned his seat in the House of Eepresentatives in order to enable him to do so. We may congratulate the Government on the acquisition of Mr Haughton's services in a capacity for which his large experience and official knowledge peculiarly qualify him. Mr Haughton will immediately set himself to work to bring into operation that most important portion of the Public Works Act relating to water supply on the goldfields. for which purpose he will proceed to Otago, and, after making his arrangements there, will visit the West Coast goldfields and complete necessary arrangements in that part of the colony.

The Provincial Gazette issued on Thursday announces the revenue from all source-i fo? tho quarter ended September 1871, t(j> be £16,505 2s sd. The expenditure is divided under the following heads:—Executive, £685 9.-* Id ; Legislative, £6OO 10s 2d; Judicial and Police, £1966 lis 9d; Charitable, £1259 3s Id; Education, £207 5s Id; Harbors, £853 0s 3d; Special, £477 13s 9d ; Miscellaneous, £568 8s Id ; Public Works and Undertakings, £2451 0s 3d; Sundry Undertakings, £496 16s Id; Roads, £2804 19s 7d; Liabilities to Road Boards, £lO 8s Id, to legal expenses, £126, total, £i36 8s Id ; Interest, £2BO 7s lOd ; Wallace Annuity, £37 10s; Deposit Account, £122 ; Paid to Road Boards, £1250; and the advances to offices to be accounted for, £287 6s 6d.

The wool ships at the wharf, the Electra and the Annie, made the first move on Thursday, in the way of preparation for the homeward trip, the bending of the sails having been commenced in the morning. An untoward accident will, however, delay the departure of the Electra. Yesterday afternoon the cylinder of the large dumping press alongside the vessel was burst in consequence of too much pressure being put on. The repairs will take two or three days in their execution. The ship has not many bales to stow, and it is expected she will leave immediately after the New Year holidays. The Annie has about 300 bales to stow, and will leave about a week after the Electra. In accordance with the promise made to the residents by the Provincial Secretary a constable is now stationed at Palmerston. At the date of his arrival, last Friday, he reported the district to be in a quite and orderly condition, the public houses, Waldgrave's and Cull's," are well conducted, and generally there was an absence of all matter for complaint. The erection of the lock-up is not yet commenced, although the timber is on the ground. However, from the account forwarded, this does not seem to be a matter of urgency, as the influential presence of the constable is sufficiently potent to present the exhibition by the i'cw notables of the district of any foibles of a disorderly character. A telegram was received from his Excellency the Governor stating that the vice-regal party had a narrow escape, from an accident whilst crossing the Rimutaka ranges. It appears that the break attached to his Excellency's carriage gave

way whilst going down the hill, and the horses bolted but, they were ultimately brought-up without any damage having been done.

The man Laffan, charged with uttering forged cheques, was brought before the Magistrate on Wednesday, and committed for trial in two cases. The prisoner, although a little nervous when put into the dock, displayed a feeling between utter indifference to the business on hand and complete resignation to the position to which fate had assigned him. No questions were asked of the witnesses by him, no attempt at denial of the imputations of the Inspector of Police was made, and the prisoner seemed to look at the future with a visage which, though not altogether calm and serene, was extremely deliberate and cool. It seems this is a characteristic of the man, for in the course of his travel down the road from Foxton he has distributed his flimsies plentifully and indiscriminately, without fear and without favor. As time proceeds the plot thickens, the worthless paper coming into the hands of the police at a pace corresponding to the business alacrity of the prisoner himself. Feats against time pervade the enthusiastic reins of all society. The officials at the Resident Magistrates' Court have caught the fever, and yesterday timed themselves over a committal case, the result being the " shortest on record." Laffan was brought up for hearing, the charge read, evidence taken, the man committed, and all in the short space of ten minutes! Justice is getting over that sore foot.

An extensive bush fire raged in the neighborhood of Palmerston on Friday night last, in the suppression of which the inhabitants of the neighborhood were busily employed during the whole of Friday night and Saturday. Great difficulty and danger were encountered in the endeavor to save the houses which lay in the track of the flames, The residents were only partially successful, however, for the fire raged so furiously as to moclr their comparatively puny exertions. From 500 to 1000 of the sleepers for the tramway now being laid between Foxton and Palmerston were consumed, and altogether the loss, though not extensive, is severe, the persons on whom the disaster falls not being men of any considerable substance. The tire burnt itself out on Saturday, but the heat and smoke of the smouldering portions are so great as to infuse into the atmosphere extending over a considerable extent of country a constituent exceedingly unpleasant as well as injurious to the respiratory organs. Mr John Moir supplies us with following report as to efficiency of the school in Ingestre street, conducted by Mr Curtis :—" Having been requested by Mr Curtis to give away the prizes to the boys attending his school, I now beg to bear testimony to the highly satisfactory manner in which that school appears to me to be conducted. This school was formerly conducted by the Rev. William Fell, and during the past twelve months has been carried ou by Mr Curtis, Mr Fell having transferred it to him before he left JSTew; Zealand. lam happy to state that it is still in a flourishing condition as to numbers, and also that the teaching appears to be very efficient and successful. The subjects of instructions are English, which includes reading, grammar, composition, and history; arithmetic, algebra, geography, and mapping ; German, French, Latin, &c. The questions which were put to the boys (those chiefly of the uppermost form) received prompt and correct replies, and the genera! progress of the school appeared to me aIJ that could be desired." In the Episcopalian Churches the usual selections of sacred music appropriate to the period of the year were given. At St Paul's on Christmas Day the Handel Hallelujah Chorus was sung among other pieces, and was rendered very effectively, some other selections from the Messiah being played by the organist on the previous day. At St Peter's the music was of a more modest character, and was very tastefully given. Both churches were neatly decorated with evergreens. The receipt of tenders for the erection of the Provincial Government buildings was closed on Tuesday, but those received cannot be opened until the return of tho Superintendent from the Wairarapa. His Honor is expected to return about Wednesday week. At the holding of the Midnight Mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Sunday evening last the attendance was so numerous that a long line of people was left outside after the interior of the building had been densely packed ; indeed, so full was the building that the aisle was crowded up to the communion rails by persons standing. The sanctuary was brilliantly illuminated and tastefully decorated with flowers. The Rev Father Cummings preached an eloquent and learned sermon on the coming of the Messiah, which was listened to with great attention. The choir gave Webbe's Mass in C with tolerable musical skill, this being preceded by a new and agreeable arrangement of tbe Adesde Fidelia

and followed by a simple Te Deum. The collections announced was responded to with liberality by those in attendance. On Monday morning a party ot thirty gentlemen followed the good old English practice of singing a number ot carols at various places in town, and the really excellent style in which they were sung showed that considerable tune had been devoted to practice to enable them to attain sueli proficiency. The P ie . ces selected were the Vesper Hymn, Christmas Hymn, New Cambridge, Nativity, &c Two pieces, composed for the occa-sion-one by Mr llussell, called ren," and the other by Mr S. Waters, styled "Bethlehem"—went extremely well, and did great credit to our local talent. In England, at Christmas, these rustic anthems are in great favor, and we do not see why they should not become so here in our country villages. Much credit is due to Messrs M'lntosb. and b. Waters ifor the trouble they have taken to train t he choir. On Monday a fire broke out at the Hutt in the back premises of Mr J. Buck, a portion of which had been used as a smith's shop, the other part being employed by a Chinaman as a store for fungus. The fire was first observed by constable Butler, who, ffhen at some little distance from the building observed smoke issuing therefrom. Seeing little prospect of saving the premises every endeavor was made to save the adjoining houses, the most dangerously situated one being the Wesleyan par.uonage, which was saved mainly by the energy of two members of the Wellington Fire Brigade, who happened to be on the spot. The premises destroyed were nob insured. The parsonange sustained some damage, but the loss will be covered by insuranee. Some of the furniture of this building was damaged, if not destroyed. The people on the spot rendered gre;at assistance in preventing the spreading of the fire. The Provincial Gazette states that notice hasi been received from the Inspector of Sb.eep for the East Coast district that he has granted a clean certificate to Messrs Maun sell and York, Pakoui, and has cancelled the clean certificate of Duncan Cameron, Blairlogie. In the Wairarapa district clean certificates have been granted to J. G. Cox, Featherston, A. and A. M'Kenzie, Taratahi, East, and Wm M'Leod, Wairapori. The clean certificate of E. Eiddiford, for the Kewewa Kaitu flock, has been cancelled. The Inspector of Sheep for the Bangitikei district ha s granted a clean certificate to Katana Ngahina for a flock of sheep depasturing on Manawatu Block, and numbering about 1800. The following persons" have been gazetted Boards of Wardens :—For the Lower Wainui Boad District Mr Bichard I'rouse, Chairman ; Messrs William Pro use, Thomas Grace, George Collis, Jolin Wakeham. For the Taratahi Koad District—Messrs J. W. Cooper, H. Udy, S. Hart, C. Dakin, A. M'Kenzie, B. P. Perry, Chairman. Mr A. J. Skipper has been appointed collector of road rates for this district.. The following appointments are notified in the Provincial Gazette :—Mr Benjamin Draper has been appointed Collector of Rates in fhe Pahautanui School District, in place of J. Fey ton, resigned. Murdo M'Lean. constable, has been appointed Poundkeeper of the public pound at Turakioa. Mr Joseph W. Jordan, SubInspector of Sheep, has been appointed to be Inspector of Sheep, and Registrar of Cattle, Horse, and Sheep brands in the Wanganui and West Coast district. According to the local papers it was just seve.a years ago on the 20th inst that the first steamer crossed the bar of the Hokitika river. A nugget weighing 21 ozs has been found by a party of miners in one of the tributaries of the Lyell river on the West Coast of Nelson. A familiar face, with well worn lineaments, will be missed from the Supreme Court, at its next sitting. Mr Spiers, who has for so many years discharged the duties pertaining to the cfiiee of Court Critf, has been compelled to quit the post at the call of Time, being at present confined to his bed by an attack on his system of so severe a nature that his recovery is considered, very doubtful. Mr Spiers was one of our curliest settlers, having arrived in the colony in the ship Oriental in the year 181 L. . Our Wairarapa correspondent informs us that it is currentiy reported in that district that a further inquiry into the proceedings which led to the coroner's inquest at Masterton and into circumcumstances elicited on that occasion will be instituted. The directors of the Never Despair Company ihave succeeded in bringing to a concusion a long pending arrangement with Mr Walker, of the Thames, to visit and report upon the mine at Terawiti. A very numerous party has been arranged to go out to-morrow morning, thougji they will in all likelihood discover nothing in addition to what we are already assured of, namely, that the ground is payable ; but the direction in which the company may profit is in obtaining Mr Walker's

opinion as to the best means of catching the gold in the tables. After that the companv should endeavor immediately to secure the services of a person competent to adapt that advice to practical operation*. When this is done the Never Despair will have taken the first step towards bringing about the only result that can possibly prove satisfactory to tne shareholders. . The entries for the Marton-Rangitikei races closed on the 20th. Howe's Hotel was crowded by an unusually large number of the genuine turf supporters ot which the combined districts can boast. It will be observed from the subjoined list that several highflyers of repute are down for the events to be run amongst them being " Flying Jib" and "Girl of the Period " Some of the publicly untried ones are looked upon with apprehension by the owners of the older horses. lbe followingaretheentries:—Produce Stakes —Wm T Owen's Ricardo, Dr Mussen s Escape, L. M'Lachlan's Wallflower John Hair's Melrose, Alex. Higgle s bully for Yon, T. M. Fleetwoods Lady Grace, P. j'. Richardson's Vivandiere, 8. Swainson's Black Ella. Jockey Club Phite-Dr Mussen's Escape, R. A. Darnell s Flyms Jib, R. A. Darnell's Girl of the Period, Robert Stevens' True to the Core (late Critic). Licensed Victualler s Purse—W. Thos. Owen's Exchange, Wm. Vincent s Woman in White, Wm. Board's Shamrock, Dr Mussen's Escape, L. M'Lachlan s Wallflower, Alex. Agamemnon. Hurdle Race—L. Daniell's Nun, Archie Cameron's Dick Turpin, John Stevens Pacha. . An accident which it at first was thou£ht would prove fatal in its results took place on the Tinakori Road on Saturday last. Two young men, slightly intoxicated at the time, were engaged in racing up and down the road, and feeling more secure in their saddles than on ordinary occasions, they indulged in several circus freaks while riding side by side, eventuating in one of them, named Monck, being landed on his head on the macadam, lie was picked up in an insensible state, and taken to the Karori Hotel, where he bled a good deal, but was deaf to all entreaty. Dr Grace was quickly in. attendance, and expressed the opinion that although the man was severely hurt, he could not say to what extent. The patient set all present fears at resfc ( by returning to consciousness about ten o'clock at night, and was removed to his home at Makara about six o'clock on Sundaymorning. The pedestrianism announced for Saturday was a complete failure in so far as the attendance was concerned, only about thirty people paying the entrance money charged at the gate. The sense which the people evidently attached to the word pedestrianism, as defined by Bird's performances, made itself apparent on the ground, but still there was d good sprinkling of the always meau perched on the rails surrounding the cricket ground; one individual, afraid that he was " done," rushed up to Edwards in a state of alarm and demanded his shilling because the feats were not started to the minute advertised. It was at once. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances Edwards stripped for his journey, not for the sake of enabling him to claim the mouey paid, but for the purpose of keeping faith with the few who had come from town to see him walk. The distance to be doue was seven miles within the hour, and the course had been measured off and ascertained to be 205 yards. We stepped the distance and ascertained this to be as nearly as possible correct. Sixty times round the ring, or a lap a minute, were required to complete the distance. Four watches were compared to time the race, and at, six minutes to five o'clock Edwards started, the sun being very hot at the time. The laps were completed in varying time up to the twentieth, when time had gained by threequarters of a minute, and at the twentyfourth Edwards was a minute At the thirty-eighth this had increased to one and a-half minute, and at the completion of the forty-sixth lap the time was exactly forty-eight minutes, or two minutes behind. This, however, was. gradually decreased ; the fifty.seventh lap being done in 55 seconds, the fifty-eighth in 56 seconds, the next in 58 seconds, and the last in 56 seconds. These spurts, however, onlv decreased the time lost by half a minute, and the seven miles were completed inexactly a minute and a half over the hour. There was not the slightest doubt Edwards could have walked over the seven miles had the walking taken 1 place later in the evening, the sun being too powerful to permit of any extraordinary effort. As to the opinions about the style of walking there was not a dissen tient from the opinion that it could not possibly be fairer. Those present on the <n-ouud began to disperse at the conclusion, and as Austin did not feel justified in going over the ground for the benefit of the railers, the ten mile feat did not come off. Dr Hector left for Nelson on Saturday night on business connected with the colonial geological survey. Captain Lutton leaves in a very short time for Dunedin, also on the geological surrey service.

It is expected that he will remain about six months in the province of Otago, the Provincial Council of that province being particularly anxious that the coal bearing strata in the different districts of the province should be accurately defined and mapped. This and other duties will absorb at feast as much of Capt. Hutton's time as we have mentioned, if indeed his duties do not necessitate his becoming permanently resident in that province. The ship Queen Bee is evidently making heavy weather of it. She is now 107 days out, and there was no sign of her afc the signal station at a late hour last night. Yle understand that it is the intention of Mr Moeller to engage the Italian Opera Company for a special season of six nights a month hence, if he can secure sufficient encouragement. The plan proposed is to secure a subscription list of two hundred tickets, for which the spirited enterprenuer will engage the Cagli Company to play six operas entirely new to Wellington audiences —viz., La Sonnambuhi, Travata, La Favorifca, and others of equal celebrity. We have been glad to notice that the public of this city only require a little real encouragement to induce them to come forward and support high class entertainments, and we trust that the expection of the lessee of the company may be realised and that the extra operatic season proposed will be largely supported. It may be years before the residents of Wei lington can have the opportunity of securing the services of such a talented Company as the one that has so much added to their enjoyment during the last. few nights, and we hope that Mr Moeller may be enabled to carry out the proposal he has in view.

As a hint for the Immigration Department we may reprint the following from the "Shetland Gazette" of the 16th Sep tember :—Last week the tenants in Bressay were given to understand distinctly the terms on which they will be allowed to remain in their present hold ings. The conditions are such that the island has been turned into a Bochin. All who have been able to remove have resolved to do so at once, but there are few in circumstances to rise and go to a country where the oppressor dare not touch them, and hence the sighing and crying of the bewildered people are painful to hear. They have been active both on and and sea, and, though* toiling hard daily, they have lived in some degree of comfort until now that the demise of the last Mouat to whom the property belonged has put them under a new regime, and one which they believe must end in their destruction, though attempts are made to persuade them that it is for their benefit.

In a recent number of the Melbourne " Leader," a paper which represents the element of settlement and progress as opposed to land monopoly and pastoral privileges, we are told that it is beginning to be felt that the land question in Victoria has not yet reached a satisfactory settlement. jNumbers of those, says our contemporary, who have taken up land for bona fide cultivation under the liberal enactments of late years, find themselves seriously fettered by the want of capital, and the Minister of Lands has been appealed to for a relaxation of the provisions which prevent them from mortgaging their holdings. He is understood to have promised his assistance. The " Hawkes Bay Herald" commenting upon the position of the province says :—Our population being 6050, we shall receive next year as capitation allowance, at the rate of los a-head, the sum £4544 ss, and as special allowance the sum of £ISOO, making in all £6044. Against this stands the annual charge as interest and sinking fund for loans, which amounts to £6927 10s 3d. Besides this again there is the charge for inland mail services and provincial auditors, set down at £1370. Our liabilities to the consolidated revenue will thus exceed by the sum of c.6'3253 our claim upon it. How the difficulty is to be got over we are not at present in a position to say. It niay be some consolation to think that most of the other provinces in jS"ew Zealand are in a similar position. The Transfer of Powers Act, withdrawn in deference to the feelings of the provincial party, was after all not merely a judicious n?easuve, but one the necessity for which, it now appears, was nothing short of absolute.

MAKAVILLA COCOA.—No breakfast table is complete without this delicious beverage.—The " Globe" says :—" Various importers and manufacturers have attempted to attain a reputation for their prepared Cocoas, but we doubt whether any thorough success has been achieved until Messrs Taylor Brothers discovered the extraordinary qualities of ' Maravilla' Cocoa. Adapting their perfect system of preparation to this finest of all species of the Theobroma, they have produced an article winch superseded every other Cocoa in the market. Entire solubility, a delicate aroma, and a rare concentration of the purest elements of nutrition, distinguish the Muravilla Cocoa above all others. For homoeopaths and invalids we could not. recommend a more agreeable or valuable beverage." Sold in packets only by nh Grocers, of whom also may be had Taylor*Brothers' Original Homceopithic Cocoa and Soluble Chocolate. Steam Mills—Brick Lane, London. Export Chicory Mills, Bruges, Belgium,

An inquest was held at Tuck's Hotel, Masterton, on the 19th inst, touching the death of James Tobin, who had died from the effects of injuries he had received in falling from the window of a bedroom in the hotel on the previous Thursday, while under the influence of liquor. Much excitement was created with reference to this injury, and various reports were put in circulation, which, had they been true, would not have been at all creditable to the proprietor of the hotel in question. The particulars of the case will, however, be best obtained from the evidence given by the several witnesses examined at the inquest.—Francis Murphy deposed that on the 13th instant the deceased, whom he had never seen before, asked him to drink with him, which he did, and continued to do so, together with one or two others, the remainder of the afternoon. He did not see him again until Thursday, after the accident.—John Smith, surgeon, deposed that he had made a post mortem examination of the body. He found the kidneys and spleen congested, the liver highly congested, and there was inflamatory congestion of the whole stomach and bowels. These symptoms might have been caused by a heavy fall; and he thought from the extent of the injuries he had received he would have died under any circumstances. He did not think that' had he been placed in an ordinary bedroom, with all the usual furniture, that he would have recovered. He thought when first called to attend the deceased that he had not had sufficient attention, or sufficient clothing: and be recommended that he should be kept warm with extra blankets and other appliances. The inilamation of the stomach and bowels might have been caused by excessive drinking and exposure to cold, but he thought the injuries from the fall was the cause of death. Deceased, when witness first saw him, was in a dying state. He did not think the stable or straw-room where he was lying was a proper place for a human being to be in, suffering as he was. There was no bed under him. He was lying on the straw.— James Lowry, stableman, deposed that deceased died about nine o'clock on Sunday last. On the previous Thursday he fell out of a window of the hotel, and had continued ill until he died. Witnessed not see him fall. It happened about eight o'clock in the eA'ening. He had been drinking all the day and the clay before. About six o'clock on Thursday he walked round to the back of the hotel and asked the cook to put him somewhere, where he could lie down. He was helped up a step ladder into the servants room which had a trap door, and which was closed after life. In two hours after witness saw him lying in the scuilery. and assisted in removing him on to a mattvass into the billiard-room. At one o'clock he went for Dr Spratfe, and on Mr Tuck's orders he assisted in removing deceased into the stable, where he remained until his death. There' was no bed, but there were four blankets and two pillows. Witness attended deceased until his death, and sunolied him with food and drink at, the doctor's orders.' The window of the bedroom from which deceased fell was open, and under the window was a verandah about nine feet from the ground. The deceased was very heavy, and about (58 years old. Witness did not think that he could have been lifted upstairs, as they had great difficulty in removing him into the billiard-room. There had been no horses in the stable or straw room where the deceased was put. The deceased shouted out in agony, and used very bad language at the first part ot his illness. Some other evidence was taken in corroboration. Tiie jury desiring to take the evidence of Mr Tuck, who was absent in town, the inquest was adjourned till Fridav for that purpose. While tne inquiry is thus pending it would be perhans wrong to comment on the case; but I may state that previous to the inquest a strong feeling was manifested against Mr Tuck on account of his removal of a man in a dyinu' state into a stable. It, however, appears from the evidence that, with that exception, quite as much attention was shown to deceased after his accident, as is ordinarily exhibited on such occasions; and in this summer weather a man might die in a worse place than a stable. The adjourned inquest was held on Friday last, before Dr Spratt. John Tuck, the proprietor of Tuck s Hotel, was examined, and, after some time spent in deliberation, the following verdict was returned by the jury :—" That the deceased James Tobin came by his death from injuries received by falling from the roof of"a lean to. the same being part of a house known as Tuck's Hotel, on which he obtained access from a window, such window being the only egress from the room, the trap door by which he entered being closed, he being then in a drunken state, induced and brought on by drink served to him on the said premises known as Tuck's Hotel, Masterton, and died on the 17th dav of December, 1871. And we further find that the deceased was cruelly S.nd improperly treated, and neglected, not having been undressed from the time of the accident till the day of his death, and being placed upon straw

without any bed; blankets being only | supplied : he bavin a, been removed from J '. the house and put into a loose box in the : stable, the adjoining stable being at times used to stable entire horses in and for slaughtering and dressing sheep." i The vacancy in the Nelson Provincial Council, caused by the death of Mr ! Wastney, brought two city residents into the field, and Mr Acton Adams and MiCharles Elliott aspired to the honor of representing Suburban. North, but the inhabitants put the matter beyond contention by requesting Mr W. Wastney, son of their late member, to fill the vacant seat, and that gentleman expressing his willingness to do so, and enunciating political principles which appeared to meet with the views of the electors. I Messrs Adams and Elliott withdrew in his favor, and Mr Wastney has been duly declared by the Returning Officer a Provincial Council member for Suburban North. There has been a grand debate in the Auckland Provincial Council upon the policy of the General Government. It arose out of a motion by Mr Creighton which was as follows :—" Whilst recognising the salutary character of much of the legislation of the General Assembly last session, they cannot but regret that the exigencies of the Colonial Treasury entailed so large a pecuniary loss on this province as £13,570 2s 2d annually ; and that, in addition, it was necessary to impose new taxes, some of which fall with especial weight ou the inhabitants of this province. Without presuming to review | the legislation of the General Assembly I in this respect, they cannot refrain from recording their opinion that a more economical administration of the public funds might have rendered the imposition of new taxes unnecessary." An amendment proposed by Mr Sheehan was carried which was to the following effect:—"That this Council feels called upon to express its disapproval of the attempts made during the last'session of the Assembly to pass measures calculated to effect a radical alteration of the Constitution, without any notice being given to the Governments of the several provinces, or opportunity afforded to the electors of the colony to consider such measures. And this Council further protests against any alterations affecting the constitution, powers, and functions of Provincial Legislatures being made, unless and until the proposed alterations are submitted to the country, and the whole of the constituencies allowed to elect a Parliament for the express purpose of considering such alterations." It was carried with only two dissentient voices. They have curious notions regarding political economy in Auckland. Mr Creighton, who professes to hold all protection as a mistake, has expressed the opinion that as the cereal duties of last session create additional facilities for the disposal at Auckland of grain produced by the Southern provinces. Auckland would be justified in imposing tax on their importations. But the Provincial Council cannot impose customs duties, Mr Creighton proposes to raise the wharfage rates to such a price at the Auckland wharf as to compel the Southern corn growers to refund to consumers the amount of the preferential duty placed upon importations from other countries. Put this extraordinary policy does not stop here, for we notice that the last act of stupidity has been performed by a Mr Hamlin in the Auckland Provincial Council, who proposes that the Superintendent should issue a proclamation under the Deceased Cattle Acts, so as to prevent the landing of cattle from other provinces of Now Zealand. Auckland is dependent greatly for its supply of meat upon the adjoining province of Hawke's Bay, and the object of this ridiculous proposal is simply to -~Mse the price of Auckland fed cattle. Mr Hamlin, as one would naturally expect, is something in connection with a society for the protection of farmers, caTfd " The Settlers' Protection Society." The Auckland papers say that the Choral Society in that place are so discouraged by their disasters by fire that they do not intend to rebuild the hall. A piano and a harmouium were the only articles saved from the late fire, and there ■will be a loss cf between £3OO and £4OO upon the proprietary debentures. But there will be a very large private loss of music and instruments, which nothing can compensate. 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 f the oil when the stomach rejects it. 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, London, and all Chemists. Note—Savory & Moore's name and trade mark on each bottle. April 22 1871. 52w.

Commenting on Mr Gavan Duffy as Premier of Victoria, the " Spectator"" of a recent date says :—lt is so everywhere except in Ireland. In Australia, in New Zealand, in Canada, in the United States, in India, in Spain, in Austria, the first quality an Irishman displays is a capacity for soldiership, the second an aptitude for government of the hard, personal, practical kind, the very aptitude, that is, which we suppose him never to possess. Whether D'Arcy M'Gee, General Sheridan, or Mr Duffy, or even Mr Sweeney, of New York, the Irishman abroad is always a stern clear man, not unlikely to be unscrupulous, and almost invariably hard; but inventive, resourceful, farseeing, and brave, a man who can, per \jas aid nqfas, make other men accept his ideas and obey his will. An Irish Civil Service, composed of such men, picked for the work trained for it, and encouraged to be independent, would govern the country as it never been governed yet, with a force, directness, and honesty which in a very few years would suppress all opposition, and make the law what it has become under much more difficult circumstances in India, the final arbiter. And that, we may rely on it, is the kind of government which suits the national genius, is the only one which in Ireland will ever reconcile freedom with the order that the bayonet, wielded by men of a different race, has in vain tried to maintain.

In the Auckland Provincial Councd a motion was tabled to the effect that a sum of ten thousand pounds should be applied as compensation to such native owners of land as would consent to open their lands for goldfields and general settlement purposes. The motion was opposed by Mr Mackay, who said that it would hinder the settlement of the question. It was not a question of money. No money would do it. It was an obstruction caused by the attitude of two natives of opposite parties. The passing of the vote would show the desire to get hold of this land, and would put the settlement further off. So long ago as 1868 he made an agreement to give a bonus of £SOO, and £IOOO to be paid from miners' rights to those natives svho would open their land for mining purposes. So far, that was settled. The best plan was not to tease these natives. To show that money would not buy these natives, he might state the fact that they would not take a farthing for letting the telegraph line go through their land, because, they said, it would take from them themanao? the land.—The motion was withdrawn. The members of the Auckland Provincial Council have, by a division of eleven to two, declined to vote a payment of fifteen shillings a day for all members during the session. The Provincial Government of Auckland is about taking steps to test the value of the coal measures in the district of Mongonui.