TOPICS OF THE MONTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4812, 24 August 1876, Page 2

TOPICS OF THE MONTH.

A private letter from the Thames goldfield says that there is a noticeable improvement in the Waitekauri district, which is situated above Ohinemuri proper. Urom the opening of this ” native oyster,” as Ohinemuri was facetiously termed in the North at that time—the early part of 1875, —it was the opinion of many experienced miners that'Waitekauri would bo found to be the most payable country. The ICarangahake spur—a bone of fierce contention once—was strongly believed in, it is true, but it soon became evident that if the sample reef ha-l not boon salted it must have marvellously lucky patch, beyond which all was barren. But if the statements contained in the letter referred to bo reliable, it appears that Waitekauri is likely to redeem the character of the Ohinemuri country, the opening of which, through Maori opposition, was so long deferred that hundreds of men, believing in it thoroughly, be'eamo sick of waiting, and departed for other fields. One or two of the Waitekauri reefs are said to be more than payable, while the country generally in that direction is looking, very promising. A battery has been erected in the district, so that the expense

of carrying the quartz—a large item in r the working expenses of mines—is saved ; and if. events turn out as it is hoped they will, no com, siderable time will elapse before other batteries make their appearance onthegrouud. Atpresent the Thames goldfield is very dull. ■ Numbers of miners have left in consequence of the hard times, which have never been harder since the opening of the field ; and unless something turns .up to --give a -fresh impetus to mining there, it is very much to be feared that the Thames will sink into insignificance. It is to be hoped, therefore, that some of the back country will turn up trumps. Tairua has disappointed peeple, but Ohinemuri still affords hope to many well capable of judging in the matter. ‘ T

The following are the main provisions of the Public Trust Office Bill, introduced in the Leglislative Council by the Hon. Dr. Pollen, at the instance of the Public Trustee. By the 3rd clause trustees may place estates in Public Trust office with the consent of a Judge of the Supreme Court and of the Board. The following clauses provide Executors or administrators may place estates in the Public Trust office, the provision to extend to lands passing under the operation of the Real Estate Descent Act. A Judge may at any time grant an immediate order to the Public Trustee to administer an estate. The residue of an estate not exceeding £SO may be paid to widow when the children are under fifteen years of age ; and when the residue of an estate exceeds £SO the Trustee may, under an order of a Judge, pay such sum or sums from time to time as the Judge may think fit for the maintenance, education, &c., of such children. The Trustee may, with the consent of the Board, make advances for payment of the necessary cost of administration. He may also take possession of and administer land of an absentee proprietor. The Trustee may, with the consent of the Board, lease land for limited periods, may acquire lands the purchase of which would improve estates, and may raise money for the improvement of property. But no such money shall be raised except upon an order made by the Court or a Judge thereof, which order shall specify the amount, the security, and the purpose to which the money is to be applied; the Trustee to have power to execute mortgages to secure such loans. The fourteenth and last clause directs that the Public Trustee may be registered, under the Land Transfer Act, as proprietor of land, and prescribes the mode of so doing.

A statement showing the number, amount, &c., of money order and savings bank transactions in the several postal districts of the colony for the quarter ended 30th June, 1876, has been published. There were during the period 122 offices open, as against 111 during the June quarter of last year, and money orders to the number of 20,582 were issued, as against 17,901 last year, the value being £81,013, as against £73,612 during the June quarter of last year. The number paid was 14,613, of the value of £57,950, against 12,824, of the value of £52,311, last year. The savings bank transactions showed an excess of withdrawals over deposits of £BI3B, as against £25,052 for the corresponding quarter of last year.

The value of exports from the several ports of New Zealand during the quarter ended 30th June, 1876,wa5£1,216,642, as against£lj3B3,ll9 during the corresponding quarter of last year, thus showing a decrease of £36,507. The value of exports from Auckland during the June quarter of 1876 was £113,620 ; for the corresponding period of last year, £117,673. From Wellington for the June quarter, 1876, £130,731 ; for the corresponding quarter last year, £193,160. From Lyttelton for June quarter, 1876, £411,601 ; corresponding quarter last year, £306,015. From Dunedin for June quarter, 1876, £359,115 ; corresponding period last year, £402,219.

Feom the quarterly return of the value of imports at the various ports of New Zealand we gather the following information:—Value of imports for Auckland for June quarter£l9B,Bl6, as against £273,931 for the corresponding quarter of 1875 ; Wellington, £212,739, as against £240,788 in 1875 ; Lyttelton, £279,331, as against £208,603 in 1875 ; Dunedin, £122,577, as against £538,191 in 1875. Total for the quarter £1,112,951, as against £1,609,612 for the' corresponding quarter of 1875. " '