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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4125, 10 June 1874, Page 2

Wo arc informed that it is intended to increase the rates of interest allowed upon deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank. The increase will take effect after the end of the present mouth, and will he fir per cent, instead of 4 per cent, per annum on amounts not over £2OO, and 4 per cent., instead of 3 per cent., on sums over .£2OO ; but no interest is to he allowed on deposits amounting to more than £SOO. M ,

A memorial from residents of the To Aro end of the City, and especially in the neighborhood of the cricket ground, was recently presented to the Postmaster-General, asking that letters might be delivered by carrier to parts of the district which had hitherto not enjoyed that advantage. We understand that, in reply to this memorial, Mr. Russell has been informed that the propriety of extending the area of delivery to each end of tho City had occupied the attention of tho Department prior to the receipt of the memorial, and that directions had now been given by the Post-master-General which will have the effect of granting what was asked for by the memorialists. Mr. Bussell has also been informed that the establishment of a receiving-house at premises in Tory Street will be Immediately considered. The following tenders were received for the Kakanui and Island Creek bridges : —Messrs. Brogden and Sons, Wellington, £6,CSC (accepted), and the following declined : —S. M. Baird, Dunedin, £8,558 ; A. M. Campbell, Dunedin, £lO,-18:2 ; W. D. Murison, Dunedin, £7,100 ; Allan and Stumbles, Timaru, £6,487. We may add that Messrs Brogden aid Sons having the contract for the lino of railway on which these bridges are situated, the advantage of having one contractor for the whole work occasioned the acceptance of their tender in preference to Messrs. Allan and Stumbles, although the latter was slightly under that of Messrs. Bx-ogdeu. The missing seaman, Fergusson, who was supposed to have been drowned, having been unheard-of since Thursday last, made his appearance in propria persona yesterday morning, and thus satisfactorily removed tho fears that had been entertained on his account. The s.s. Claud Hamilton is the next steamer expected from Melbourne, and comes, we presume, by the West Coast. The “Derby”—as “ an old jockey” reminds us—would be run on Wednesday, tho 3rd instant, and therefore the Claud will bring tho results of the race, px-e----suming no accident has occurred to the telegraph lino. A private telegram from Dunedin states that the Steele and Keogh Company opened there on Monday evening for a dramatic season. The theatre was crowded, and the performance well received. A number of men iu the employ of Messrs. Pell and Parker, the contractors for the second ten miles of tho Wanganui-Manawatu Kailway, arrived at Wanganui per Wallace, fi’om Nelson, last week, and will commence operations immediately. Another batch will shortly follow, and the progress of the works will be urged on expeditiously. It is understood (says tho Herald) that the greater portion of the contract will be sub-let iu small jobs, as most of the hands have worked together previously on tho West Coast goldfields, and on railway formations iu the Province of Nelson, and aro all accustomed to the work, Tlie annual meeting of the Hutt branch of the A\ r esleyan Missionary Society was held on Monday evening in the church there. The chair was occupied by Mr. Knight. The attendance was small. The Rev. Messrs. Morley and Lewis, and Messrs. Clement and Robinson successively addressed the meeting, and the report on the o|)ei'atious of the Australian Wesleyan Missionary Society for the past year was read by the Rev. J. 14. Richardson. It stated that encouraging reports had been received from tho friendly- Islands, where the converts were keeping- fast to the faith, and new churches were being erected and old ones improved. In one of the islands—Nukualoga—a handsome church had been put up, at a cost of £BOO, raised by voluntary contributions. The news received from Fiji was also encouraging. In the churches there the number of “ full and accredited members” was 24,413, and of those on trial 4,377. The missionaries among the Maoxies were also doing good work, and, said the report, “ Our own missionary, Heteraka Wairilii, has regularly conducted .service on alternate Sundays in Wellington and at the Hutt. In January he paid a visit to Wairau, iu the Marlborough Province, the Natives of which were pleased to see him. The folio wing agents were employed by the society;— In the islands, 20 Europeans, G 5 Natives ; churches, 901 ; other preaching places, 289 ; members, 34,131 ; attendants, 138,090 ; Sunday scholars, 55,700 ; day scholars, 52,700. Two Clxinese missionaries are employed in Victoria. In New Zealand, four European and five Native. Members, 343. The receipts of the parent society for the year ending April, 1873, amounted to £161,833 13s. lid., being an increase of £8,324 17s. -id. on the previous year. The following are the amounts raised by the New Zealand districts last year ; Auckland, £63 ; Wellington, £SB 6s. -id. ; Canterbury, £O7 18s. Id. ; Otago, £lO 19s. Cd.” In a quiet unostentatious way Mr. Knight, of Lambton Quay, lias for some time past maintained at his own cost a small library specially- for the benefit of seamen frequenting the nort. As far as the English tar is concerned Mr. Knight’s pabulum is equal to all demands, but the visitors to this free library now include in their ranks a number of Swedes, Danes, and other natives of northern latitudes, whoso wants Mr. Knight confesses ids inability to supply. Recent arrivals who may chance to be overburdened with literature of these nationalities, would benefit their fellow-country-men by leaving the books with Mr. Knight. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday-, John Breot was fined ss. for cantering across the Hutt bridge, contrary- to law. Throe drunkards were fined. B. Nosway, who had assaulted a constable and attempted to rescue a prisoner, was fined 405., with the alternative of seven day-s hard labor. J. Mackay, for fighting in the street, was similarly dealt with. In one small debt case the plaintiff recovered tho amount claimed with costs. Tho football match between Nelson and Wellington is not likely to be played until August next. It has been ascertained that tho best players in tho Wellington team could not got away- from their duties until then, ami it has been determined to defer the match accordingly-. Blanchard Jerrold, the son of Douglas Jerrold, is engaged on a life of Napoleon 111., which he is writing at tho request of the family. Ho lias placed himself iu communication with a great number of persons, both in England and America, who knew the deceased in the days of his citizenship, desiring information to assist him iu his task. To this wc may- add that a number of Parisian tradesmen have subscribed to present the cx-Prinoe Imperial with a sword of honor, adorned with diamonds, and some of the former officers of the Grenadiers of tho Guard, to which regiment the Prince used to belong, aro about to give him a handsome chronometer, inscribed with the date “March 10,” and tho words, “Semper el übitiue fideh's.” AUCKLAND. A now recipe for moat-preserving, by the entire carcase, is thus described in a letter byMr. Dolmage to the Southern Cross : —“ As a groat deal of attention is at present turning towards the new Colonial industry, meat preserving, I send you a recipe given to mo by a gentleman in England last year ; at tho same time ho told me that lie would give a bonus of £3OO if ono whole carcase was sent homo prepared by his recipe. Should any of your readers wish to correspond witli him his address is E. C. Moncktoii, Esq., Messrs. Coutts and Co., Strand, Loudon. The recipe is as follows ;—‘ Clean tho cavcp.se well, jircpare tho chamber and make it air-tight by caulking ; generate carbonic acid gas by means of a soda water gas generator, with chalk and acid ; the gas being heavier than tho air sinks to the bottom when the chamber is full of it. It will extinguish a candle lighted. Then throw in the meat till full, and close the chandler. Everysecond and third day- inject more gas by pipes below. As long - as the gas lasts the meat will bo fresh.’ from what Mr. Moncktoii said the intention him to have special compartments on board vessels, and the carcases to bo put in whole. Hoping it may give a hint to those iu that business, —I am, kc., d, C. DoLM.u.'r. Auckland, May 25,1874.” Resolutions of rather a novel character, on the subject of education, have been moved iu the Provincial Council by M.r, Swan. They aro :—I. “That a respectful address bo pre-

sented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to ask from the General Govern ment a sufficient sum, as an advance, to cover tlie grant to and expenses of the Education Board, until the Legislature has time to pass a General Colonial Taxation for Educational purposes ; as also to advance a sufficient sum to cover tho payments heretofore made by the Provincial Government to the Education Board.” 2. “ That the General Government be asked, through Ida Honor, to bring before the Legislature a Bill providing that there shall lie raised a sum sufficient to meet the educational requirements of the Colony, upon the basis of population, by a tax on property and income, or otherwise.” 3. “ That each Province shall be allowed to carry on its own system of education, so that the Legislature shall not bo required to deliver any opinion on the different systems now in force by virtue of Provincial Acts.” 4. “ That the money raised for educational purposes by the Colonial Legislature shall be distributed to the several Provinces of the Colony in a capitation on the basis of population.” There is some talk of inaugurating a steeplechase meeting in the spring of the year in addition to the autumn meeting. The steeplechase course (says tho Herald) is certainly an excellent one, and may fairly be stated to be over a good hunting country. The course is a mile and a half in length, with eight jumps. HAWKE’S BAY. The report of the Inspector of Sheep, already quoted from in telegrams, seems to be a very- interesting document. According to an abstract in the Herald-, the Inspector estimates the average lambing of the present year at 65 per cent, on the breeding ewes, and expects that the returns of May last would foot uj> to nearly 1,200,000 sheep. In addition to this, it is to be observed the local consumption has materially increased, and exports have kept up to their former standard. The fact of the increase must be taken as a very strikingevidence of the improvement in the carrying capacity of tho sheep stations, no new country having been taken up. This improvement, the Ins]lector observes, is mainly noticeable on the smaller stations, the increase having taken place for the most part there. The larger holders, though possessing equally good countiy, have not improved to anything like the same extent. It is, therefore, the more satisfactory to observe the advances which the process of culling large holdings into small has made. Three-fourths of the pastoral lands of the Province are susceptible of similar improvement to that effected on the lands alreadyimproved. He estimates that nearly one half of the sheep iu the Province are now cither lougwools or cross-breds. The imports of purebred sheep at Napier during the past year amount to 769 iu all. Foot rot, he observes, has been more general, but not so virulent as iu past years, and the Province is still fortunately free from scab, and, owing to the effect of precautions taken, there is no present danger of it. To the report is appended a return of the sheep in the province, belonging to each sheepownor, with the amount of assessment paid. The largest is Mr. Johnston, of Oruawaru, whose sheep now amount to 36,270 ; Messrs. D. and W. Hunter come next, with 30,400 ; and the Frissington and Apley estates, set down in the report as the property of Colonel Whitmore, follow with 30.000. TARANAKI. In the Provincial Councill, last week, Major Atldnson referred to tho subject of tlie appointment of au Immigration Agent for the Province. He said tho Government had received several applications, and were obliged to all those gentlemen who had offered their services. The appointment now rested between two gentlemen who were both fully qualified for the work; but the Government was undecided which to choose ; consequently, would like a little more time allowed, in order that further enquiries might be made concerning those two gentlemen’s respective qualifications. At tlie same time, he it to be distinctly understood that, if the Council wished it, the Government was prepared to fulfil the promise made on Friday—it would nominate the agent that day. The Government was fully aware of the necessity of appointing an agent as speedily as possible! but a short delay might have the effect of giving greater satisfaction to all parties. After some discussion, Major Atkinson said;—The appointment rests entirely with the Government, and should the Council be dissatisfied with the person we appoint, the remedy is—we resign. The proposed delay is for the good of the country, but if the Council wish it we will at once nominate the agent. After a few further remarks it was agreed to allow the Government further time to consider the matter more fully. OTAGO. Some strange fatality, says the Daily Times , appears to be prevalent in the ranks of the members of the medical profession in New Zealand, as within the last two months three surgeons or pretended surgeons have graduated inside tho walls of Dunedin Gaol for variou & offences. Mr. G. Jones, proprietor of the Britannia Pottery Works, at tho Grove, near Tokomairiro, has discovered a very fine seam of superior blue clay within a few yards of tho works. Pipes made at the works from this clay present the appearance of blue metal. A new kiln, on an improved principle, is to be erected specially for the manufacture of stoneware. Some doubt having arisen as to the pow-r conferred on the Government by tlie SouthlautT" 1., and Act of 1873, to proclaim deferi'cd payment blocks on runs held under the Southland Waste Lands Act, 1865, several nmholucrs have taken Mr. James Macassey’s opinion on the question. The Southland Times understands that that gentleman’s opinion is to the effect that the Act of 1873 does not confer on the Government the power of proclaiming deferred payment blocks on the Southland runs. There is a Grey town in Otago, of which the Bruce Herald says;—“The newly established township of Greytowu (East Taieri) has, within the past few months, made rapid strides, and bids fair to soon outgrow its elder brother of Riocartou. A goodly mimber of small selectors have settled down in this locality, and tho buildings being erected show that they intend making a permanent stay. A few of the new inhabitants consist of tho German immigrants lately imported, and to all appearance they seem a most desirable class.” NELSON. The Colliugwood correspondent of the Nelson Colonist furnishes the following particulars regarding the promising reefs at Anatori; —“ That wo have as rich and as extensive a goldfield close to us as has ever been opened inNew Zealand, I am convinced. Of course I allude to the reefing district of West Wanganui, which may be said to bo only on tlie eve of being opened. You heard, of course, of the result which a crushing of one ton of quartz from the prospectors’ claim gave, 46ozs. Another small crushing of 551bs. of specimens from the next claim yielded tlie extraordinary quantity of XOjozs. of retorted gold, at the rate of about 4400z5. to the ton ! _ Admitting that tills was obtained from picked stone, It is still very great, and a sure indication of tlie immense richness of tho quartz. This small quantity was brought oi er by the proprietors to obtain tho necessary funds to prosecute these works, and they arc satisued they can continue getting funds m this maimer, viz., by crushing a few pounds occasionally as they require money. Ihcy aro about to put in u tunnel at a low level, and aro sanguine of stviluug tlie reef by driving a little more than 100 feet.” In tho Provincial Council, Mr. Shephard lias ,riven notice of a resolution to the effect that it is desirable to proceed with the construction of roads iu the Puller Valley out of the funds agreed to bo advanced by the General Government. This is in direct opposition to the determination expressed by the present Government not to accept the advance of £20,000 on the terms proposed by the General Government. Mr. Donne has also given notice of bis intention to move that tho now_ system of responsible government renders it necessary that a permanent officer holding the appointment of Deputy Secretary and Treasurers Assistant should' bo provided for.

A proposition which was never before seriously mooted in the Nelson Council, and the propriety of which is very questionable, has this session been carried on the motion of Mr. Ivcss. It is, “ That, in the opinion of this Council, the powers which the Governor is authorised under the Goldfields Act, ISO’G, and amendments of the said Act, to delegate to Superintendents of Provinces ought, in the case of the Province of Nelson, to he delegated to the Superintendent and his Executive. That a respectful address, signed by the Speaker, be presented to his Honor, requesting him to give effect to tins resolution, as provided for in section 2 of an Act tor amend the Goldfields Act, 1 Stiff, passed in the General Assembly, 1807.” It was carried on a division, as follows:—Ayes, 15; Provincial Solicitor, Provincial Secretary, Messrs. Adams, Kerr, Maclean, Boase, I vest, Sharp, Corbett, Shapter, Macguire, Parker, Kclling, limit, and Shephard. Noes, 5: Messrs. Tarrant, Wastney, Baigent, Gibbs, and Donne. The appointment of the new Provincial Secretary does not seem to meet with unmitigated favor. Commenting upon one of Ids first official speeches, the Mail says ; —Mr. O’Connor’s forte appears to be opposition. A move ill-advised, irritating and injudicious speech than that made by him last night in reply, on the motion that the Council go into committee on the Estimates, we do not remember ever to have heard. His criticism of Mr. Donne’s remarks was unnecessarily severe, his attack upon Mr. Adams altogether uncalled for. If his object be to convert a friendly camp into a hostile army, he will, if he continues to pursue the course he adopted last night, very soon achieve a marked success. The troad-on-tho-tail-of-my-coat stylo of speaking may be very effective in a pugnacious leader of an Opposition, but is unbecoming in the head of a Government; and if Ids colleagues do not induce him to temper thefortihr in re, for which he is famous, with a little more of tire sita filer in ntodo, they will very soon find a perceptible diminution in the majority by whom they are at present supported in the Council.