GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5353, 24 May 1878, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

To Kooti sent. the following letter to the Government; —” Te Kuiti, May 1-1, 1873.—To Government; Friend Sir George Grey,— Salutations to you and friend Sheehan ; salutations to you, that, is, both you and Sir George Grey. Friend Sheehan, should you (Sir George Grey and yourself) have received my letter, which, points out cause of transgression—if you see in it any fault, please inform me in order that I may know. For you are light (or lamp) now, and you utter words, of light, of goodness,- and of love to man. You all teach : that - troubles may not arrive during your days. My word is, your management' is , very 'good, is exceedingly good. No man has taught ip that manner before. No trouble will now befall us. . Salutations to you both, and to your council. Sufficient from your sinful slave Te Kooti Te Turuki.” Kewi also writes to Government :—“ Te Kuiti, May 17th, 1878. —To Mr. Grace,—l have received your letter. Your word which finds fault with newspaper is correct. lam also much grieved at deceitful works that are being carried on during the days of interview between Tawhiao and Sir George Grey, who are trying to arrange, matters between -Maori people. Sir George Grey says, Let them (the two races) be under one arrangement (law). Friend Mr. Grace, words of newspaper are bad. They endeavor to separate Tawhiao and Sir George Grey. Friend Sheehan, make right those words which are true, - and contradict those words which are untrue. Sufficient from (signed) Manga.” The many who are interested in the construction of a line of railway from the Hutt Valley to Waikane mil be glad to hear that the survey of the suggested route is being pushed forward with energy. An interim report has been received by the Public Works Department,, but pending the completion: of the survey it is not deemed advisable to make public its contents. We have been informed that the first cargo of coal from the mine of the West Wanganui Coal Prospecting Company has been. purchased, to arrive, by Mr. E. W. : Mills, of the

Lion Foundry, the price being. 3-is. delivered alongside the wharf. From samples he has tested, Mr. Mills feels so thoroughly satisfied of the value of the coal that he has secured the first lot. Those who may he desirous of obtaining trial parcels will be able to do so after the an ival of the Shepherdess by making application to Mr. Mills. The proprietors being desirous of having the mine worked on a large scale, and of obtaining one or more steam colliers to trade between West Wanganui and this and other ports, have determined to dispose of a portion of their interest to a public company ; but they have not yet settled any details. In a few days probablj their prospectus will be published. . A few days ago, when referring to the opening of the railway lino through from Dunedin to Christchurch, we alluded to the probability of a fast boat being put on between this port and Lyttelton, so as to enable passengers for the South to make a rapid run to Lyttelton, and then go on by train. This would cause a considerable ' saving of time, and would- add largely to the comfort of travellers. It is stated on good authority that two of the directors of the Union • Steam Ship Company, Messrs. Cargill and McNeill, i who are at Home, have in view the obtaining of a vessel that will steam 15 knots, with the view of running from Wellington to connect with the railway at Lyttelton. Should such a clipper be placed on the line the trip will be made in fine weather considerably under 12 hours. The Union Company have given many instances of enterprise and pluck, and they >no doubt have found that to obtain first-class boats is the best, policy to pursue. ; Their fleet is now a very .tine one, and we are: sure-that they will in future keep:pace,with the demauds of the costal cargo and passenger trade.

The Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition in connection with the Wellington Working Blen’s Olub will be held in their new premises, next the Imperial ’Opera House, Mannersstreet, on or about the 24th June, under the patronage of his. Excellency the,. Governor. Persons having worksof art, industrial exhibits, 1 geological specimens, or 1 curiosities of any description, are asked to lend them for the occasion. Policies of insurance have been taken out so as to. provide against possible loss, and the committee therefore hope that a favorable reply will be given to their request, and not later than the 28th instant, if possible. Free transit of; exhibits by the railway and by many of the steamers has been granted. The club premises; comprise two storeys ; the first flat being occupied by shops. The large hall occupies a space of 50ft. in length by 20ft. in width, and about 12ft. in height. The next room on the same flat is about 45ft. in length by 14ft. in width. The third floor comprises five rooms, the largest of which is about 30ft. long by 20ft. wide. Intending; exhibitors will .please. be good enough to remember that the amount of room at the disposal of the committee will not; enable them to exhibit articles which would occupy a very large space. The committee would feel obliged it intending exhibitors would ; carefully, mark the cases in which exhibits are sent as being for the “ Wellington Working Men’s Club Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition.” Mr. R. W. Cary I has been appointed manager of the exhibition, which, if a favorable response is" given to the request of the committee, promises to be a very successful affair. There were only two tenders for the steam postal service from Porirua to Foxton, one from Mr. Martin Kennedy, on behalf of the owners of the Luna, at £12,000 a year, and-, the other from the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, for £2600. Both, as we stated last week, were declined. A contract has not yet been agreed to with Hastweli, Macara, and Co. for the special coach .service. It has been arranged that a month’s trial shall be made, and a price to be adjusted hereafter paid for that period. .. The firm made an offer to the Government, but, it was thought better not to come to anything like a permanent arrangement until further information had been obtained as to the traffic. •

The following letter' regarding the Waterworks extension contract was received on Friday, May 17th, by the Town,Clerk from Mr. John. Blackett,''assistant engineer-in-chief for the colony:—“ Wellington, May 16, 1878 Sir, I have the honor to report, for the information of his Worship the Mayor, that I yesterday made an inspection of the Waterworks extension contract along with the City Engineer. The various works which were unfinished at the date of my last report have, with very few trifling exceptions, been carried out. A day or two will suffice to finish these,, and the contract may then be considered as practically complete, and final payments may be made in accordance with the terms of the contract. The amount duo will be adjusted by calculations of the quantities of work actually extended since my last report, as compared with the quantities shown on plans or specified, more particularly in reference to the items bye-wash, tunnel entrances, and tunnel lining, &c., of which Mr. Baird has all the necessary measurements. lam glad to be able to report that the contract as a whole has been carried out faithfully and substantially, and I beg to offer ray congratulations to the Mayor and citizens on the successful completion of so important a piece of work.— l am, &c., John Blackett.— To C. C. Graham, Eaq., Town Clerk.”

A vessel, wo (Lyttelton JVmrs, 20th instant) learn, was seen floating keel up off the Ninety-mile Beach, near Ashburton, about a fortnight ago. At one time she was within about 40 chains of the shore, . and the wind being off the land, there would have been no difficulty in getting a boat off to her had there been one there! " One adventurous youth was so seized With the desire of possessing himself of a prize thaf he proposed swimming off to the; vessel with a rope, in order to keep her from drifting away, Ha was, however, prevailed upon not to make the attempt.

At the Bethel, Herbert-street, on May 16th, the ceremony of: baptising six candidates for admission to the Baptist Church was performed. The Rev. Mr. Harrington conducted the service,; and preached an interesting and impressive sermon, taking his text from the 12th verse of the Bth chapter of the Acts, “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” After tbe sermon was concluded, the process of immersing the six candidates, who comprised four males and two females, was gone through according to the rights and practices of the Baptists. The singing of a hymn by the congregation brought the ceremony to a conclusion.

A number of the members of the Britannia and Antipodean Lodges met in the Odd Fellows’ Hall on May 14th, and presented Mr. Daniel Susans with a very handsome marble timepiece, as a recognition of his services as chairman of the hall committee. The presentation was made by Mr. Thomas McKenzie, who in a few appropriate remarks referred to the great services that Mr. Susans had rendered on all occasions in connection with the hall. The clock, which is very substantial, as well as ornamental, hears the recipient's name on a plate of silver let into the marble frame of the clock.

Mr. Turnbull, architect, has prepared plaus for the alterations to the Odd Fellows’ Hall. The front of the present building is to bo removed, and replaced by four shops, with plate-glass windows. Over these shops, and running round to the north side of the buildmj-» there will he added eight rooms, designed principally for offices. All the additions are to be of stone and brick. The gallery inside the hall is also to be pulled down, and in its place a dress-circle will be erected, in horseshoe form. When these additions are completed, the appearance of the building, both inside and out, will be greatly improved. Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Go, sold ,by' public auction on May 14th the undermentioned valuable town and country properties, building societies’ and N.Z. Shipping Co. shares Equity of redemption of the old Wellington Club for £I4OO, subject to a mortgage for the sum of £4000; 13 sections in the township of Beaconsfield from £4 to £2O each; 100 shares in the Wellington Land and Building Go., from £3 Ifis. to £3 19s. per share; 10 shaves in the Wellington and Hutt Building Society, £ll per share; 20 shares N.Z. Shipping Go., £4 Is. per share ; Section No. 50, Alfredtown, containing 50 acres, at £1 17s. 6d. per acre; suburban section No. 20, Woodville, 7a. 2r. 3p., for £150; suburban ‘section No. 997, Palmerston, 3a. 3r. Sp., foe £45; 2 allotments, Nos. 1 and 2, part of town acre No.‘ 264, Featherston, for £3OO. ', ....

Three weeks ago (we learn from the Lyttelton Times) Mr. lib odes of Christchurch purchased the Sherwood Estate at .£0 an acre, and he last week put it up to auction in sections, when it realised £89,884, or slightly over £l4 an acre, Mr. Rhodes making fully £32,000 profit.

The Hawke's Bay Herald states that an execution upon a judgment for £3700, which was entered about two months ago by default against Arilii te Nairn, at the suit of the Hon. H. K. Russell, was recently put into force ; but as the moveables in Arihi’s (Alice’s) possession consisted of Maori mats, valued at ss. for the lot, the officer bearing the warrant of execution returned to town. “ The body of Miss Bowling was found yesterday morning at about half-past . eleven o’clock,” says the Christchurch iVess of May 17 th. “A party, headed by Detective Walker, commenced dragging the river at daylight in the locality where , the money was * found upon the bank. The body was found within fifty yards of the spot. In reference to Miss Bowling’s discharge from her situation at Mr. Hardy Johnston’s, we learn that she had previously received a mouth’s notice, according to agreement, and that the reasons for dissatis-, faction were simply her uniformly doleful demeanor, and expressions she frequently used before the children, such as that she wished she was in her grave. We also learn that she is the same person who, two months ago, behaved in an extraordinary manner at Akaroa, where she held the situation of governess ' at a school.” The deceased lady was well known in Wellington, where she had been for some time a teacher in a lady’s school One of her brothers is,'we believe, the captain the Avalanche, and another of the ship Adamant.

A fire occurred at Parkvale, Karori, at about half-past 9 a.m. on Saturday, by which'a six-roomed cottage belonging to Mr..J. Cole, dairyman, and nearly all the furniture in it, were destroyed. Four little children had a very narrow escape, for they were aIT in bed at the time the flames broke out, and they were not taken from their bedroom until they were in great danger; indeed’ so little time was there to spare that one girl, three years old, had her nightdress scorched. -Mr. ‘Cole was absent in Wellington, and Mrs. Cole had gone over a lull to turn some cattle out, and thus the children were left by themselves. Fortunately Mrs. Cole returned in time to got the little ones out, otherwise there would have been but scant hope of their; being , rescued. There was no chauce of saving the building, and almost the only thing of value that was carried out was a chest of drawers. The cottage was insured in the New Zealand Company,* but the furniture was not insured, and Mr. Cole estimates his loss at £2OO. It is supposed that the fire originated in the kitchen, and was probably caused by some sparks being blown out.

The Dunedin Star of May 17 asks :—What are we to believe ? The other day we were informed semi-officially that the Government had telegraphed Home for some guns for the defence of the four principal ports of the colony; but now it would seem from a telegram from the Under-Secretary for Defence, which the So Hilda/id Times published yesterday, that such has not been done. The telegram is - addressed to Major Hannah, commandant of the volunteers of the district, who had telegraphed to Wellington upon the subject of constructing fortifications at the Bluff: —“ I am instructed to say that the subject of the defence of the colony is receiving close attention from the Government, and the importance of the Bluff Harbor has not escaped full, recognition; but in the present uncertainty as to the outcome of pending negotiations, and in the absence of any assurance from the Home Government that it is absolutely necessary to take immediate steps, the Government does not feel justified in ordering material from Home.”

from Home. It is worth while, says the Hawlx's Bay Herald, being a Maori interpreter, or lawyer, or philanthropic M.H.R. in these times. ThiMk, is quite a congregation of them up in tne neighborhood of Poukawa at present, fighting over the will of the chief Te Hapuku. The present fight over a will has some features peculiar to itself. In the first place, it i»'* l %» fight over the will of, a man who is not yet dead, and the fight is not as to what interpretation shall be put upon his will, but as to . what his will is to be. Two lawyers, representing opposing sides, have obtained from him, it is said, contradictory wills, day about, for. some days past, one of these documents handing over, his property to trustees—who are Mr. Rees, the Hon. H. R. Russell, and Sir George Grey, for his, son. Watene ; the other . . revoking aU previous wills. At last Te Hapuku has got tired out, and has taken a vow that he will sign no more documents brought to him by either side. It is further reported that ho has endeavored to manufacture a will absolutely out of his own brains, and dictated it to a Maori. We should think that would be a puzzler for the lawyers. Serious accidents appear to have been prevalent lately in different parts of the colony. The , Lyttelton Times of Sunday last says : An accident happened on Saturday afternoon “ to Henry Cornelius, while he was riding on horseback in Timaru, trying to catch another horse. His horse fell and rolled over him, breaking his arm and severely injuring one ■ ankle and knee. He was found insensible, re- ’ moved home, and attended by Drs. Hammond ■ and Mclntyre. Cornelius is now doing well.— The same afternoon, two mep, named John Breen and John Malley, while excavating near Down's sawmills, were injured by a landslip. The slip took place without previous warning, and completely, buried Breen, some large lumps of clay falling on Malley. Breen was immediately released by other workmen. He was very badly bruised, but none of his bones worn broken, Malley escaped with slight injuries. —The above journal of the following day notifies that a man named Cashmere had his ■ leg broken at Akavoa on Monday by a fall of clay, while excavating tor brickmaking—A fatal accident happened at Coal Creek, near the Cave railway station, on the same day, to a man named James Campbell. Ho was cmployed driving a water-cart in connection with a threshing machine, and went to the river for . water. On his return the horses in the cart' were noticed to stop, and on some of the men from .tho machine going to see what-was the matter, they found Campbell entangled in the’ reins, lying under, the cart dead, and bleeding from the mouth. It is supposed that ha fell- . and the cart went over him.

During the month o£ April last.Sl. births, 30 marriages, and-29 deaths were registered m ■Wellington. , His Excellency the Governor, Lady Normanby, and suite returned to Wellington on Thursday evening. May 9th, after their visit to the North. The vacancy in the Senate of the University of New Zealand caused by the resignation of the Hein. Thomas Eraser has been filled by : the appointment of Professor J. Shand. The Blueskin section of the trunk railway of the South Island was opened on Tuesday for regular traffic, and its condition gave perfect satisfaction. The recently-formed Colonial Insurance Company is now fairly launched on the commercial world. ~Mr, E. W. Mills gavo them j their first business, via., a fire risk of £IOOO. Mi*. Redwood, tho well-known breeder of j bipod stock, being about to leave for England,, Intends.to dispose of the whole of bis valuable, stud. The sale willtake place immediately' after the spring meeting in November. . j A private telegram received in town on May ( Ist states,, that the . Bluff , and .Invercargill; • railway has been extended to Fanlight crossing,. a point about seven miles from Kingstown, at the head of Wakatipn Lake. Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of Fiji, met with a very friendly reception from the natives of Tonga. The chiefs declared their determi-: nation to maintain their own Government,, which Sir Arthur Gordon highly praised. The following is the return of patients in the Provincial Hospital during and ending the month of April, 1878 Admitted—Males, 14;; females, 7. Discharged—Males, 9; females, 8. ; Hied—-Female, 1. Left in hospital—Males, 45 ; females, 10. Total, 550. The following tenders have been received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for tho ‘ ''‘ Aingston wharf contract of the Winton and ; Kingston railway;—Accepted; Mr John Whittaker, of Dnnedin, £2668 Ss. Declined : Mr. J. B. Blair, of Dunedin, £2679; Messrs. Topham and Angus, of Invercargill, £3320 9s. 5d.; Messrs. M. - Hughes and Co., Invercargill, '£4479 7s. 6d. ' • . Patrick Moriarty, who was killed in the Rimntaka summit tunnel on Thursday, was; buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery on j Saturday morning. ... The funeral was largely | attended, and among the mourners were a number of the deceased's fellow workmen, who * had comp to town by rail'to pay the last mark i of respect to their unfortunate comrade. The ; ; ■Rev. Father Kerrigan officiated. It is always . gratifying to notice fresh local industries springing up in our midst, whether I they are on a large or small scale. Amongst'

other enterprises recently started here is that of Messrs. Williams and Graham, near To Are Pa, where they are now engaged in making blocks, pumps, steering wheels, and all kinds of ship’s work. The machinery is worked by steam, and some of the latest appliances for effecting a saving in time and labor are brought into use. / The workshop; although not a large one, is well fitted up, and there Is a good stock on hand of all sorts of commodities adapted for the business. ■ George S. Graham, Esq., of Auckland, has been appointed general msnager .aud inspector of 'the Colonial Insurance Company of New Zealand, Mr. Graham was the first insurance manager in the province of Auckland, if not in the -colony of New Zealand. He represented for some years the Imperial Eire Office of London, and issued the first policy in 1854;: s'nce then he represented the Eoyal Monarch. Tinring’ the last eight years he has been inspector for the Norwich Union Eire Insurance Society, and has held conjointly with this appointment the management of the Batavia aid Swiss Lloyd’s Marine Insurance Company., The Colonial Insurance Company is to be con"ratulated on seeming the services of an officer of such tried experience. . , Mr. Woledge, who was well known here m connection with the Choral Society and the Classical Chamber Music Club, of which he was an accomplished and popular member, diedsudidehly on Monday, April 30th, at the Panama Hotel, aged 38 years. The deceased, who was a barrister by profession, arrived in . the colony about five years ago in the ship Langstone, and obtained an appointment in the Treasury, which he held until recently, . when failing health compelled him to give up work. He was a man of considerable and varied attainments, and made many _ warm friends here, who will sincerely regret his loss'; and the musical societies to which he belonged will sustain a great loss, ns he was one of the beat musicians in the colony. A large number of Mr. J. M. Perrier’s personal friends assembled at the Pier Hotel on April 29, when good health and success to him were cordially drunk in champagne. Mr. Greenfield, who was voted to the chair, in a few remarks appropriate to the occasion presented to Mr. Perrier a very handsome gold pen and pencil case, as a small token of the reward and esteem in which he was held by his friends. Mr. Le Oren and Mr. Maginnity (of the Telegraph Department) added a few words to the same effect. Mr. Perrier suitably responded, and afterwards several of those present accompanied him to the steamer Taupo, by which he left for Dunedin, en route for Milton (Tokomairiro), where Mr. Perrier will again fill the editorial chair of th e Bruce Herald. - There was a good attendance at Mr. Einnimore’s auction mart on\V ednesday, May 1, when lot No. 1 of the new township of Kensington was submitted. The auctioneer stated that the buyer of a lot might take any number from 1 to 14, No. 15 having been given to the working men’s club. The first lots were knocked down as follows:—No. 1, Common, £l4; 2, McNab, £11;; 3, Smith, £lO ; 4, Smith, £lO ;5, Wilson, £11; 6, Wilson, £11; 7, Smith; £lO ; 8, Cattell, £lO ; ' 9, Common, £10; 10, McNab, £10; 11, Smith, £9 ; 12, Common, £9; 13, Common, £9; 14, MeCredie, -£9 10s. Some other lots were knocked down at £8 to £lO. During the sale a good number of allotments, were passed, and occasionally considerably higher prices than those quoted above were given.: Mr. Einnimore reports that the lots having frontages to the Ohiroroad were knocked down at' 20s. to 295. per ■■foot.''.' ■ ■

Recently ,v little girl about three years of age had a very narrow escape from a shocking death by suffocation. She, while playing in the yard of the Gas Company, Courtenayplace, climbed on to some iron which was

heaped.dp close to a gasometer, and losing her balance, fell into the water between, the frame and the dome. As the gasometer was full at the time its bottom edge was but a few inches in the water, and had the child gone down only one foot, she would hare been forced into the gas. Fortunately her playfellow, a mere baby of .the same age, caught her by the hand, and screamed for help. One of the men . working in the yard'heard the screams, and saved the child, f It would not he easy to concdye a more horrible accident than this would we been had ■ the Second girl, Ellen Jane Wallace, a daughter of the foreman of the gasworks, ran away forhelp instead of keeping the child from sinking, for a moment’s delay would have canaed certain death, . '. Of., date years the various life insurance companies and societies have in many ways i offered greater, facilities to insurers for pro- ■; tecting their; polities, and the plan of setting the surrender value against premiums duo and unpaid hSs been found ,i to be of the greatest advantage to persons .who have insured their lives. For instance, if A, who is in receipt of a fair income, - insures his life for £IOOO, and after ten years finds that he is unable to continue payments, his policy is not - forfeited as it used to be, neither is he compelled to aurrenderit for a small consideration., The value of the, policy is estimated, and the company or society continues to pay the premiums until the sum so paid reaches the surrender value at the time when the payments by the insured ceased. The‘following instance will provo clearly the great value of such a system ;—ln December, 1872, Mr. X injured his life for fOO in tho . Australian Mutual Provident Society, and paid the premiums until Juno, 1878, when for some reason or other he omitted to do so. Further payments were marie by the society, and on the sth November last Mr. X died. The surrender value of the policy had been sufficient to cover all ■ premiums up to that date j but on the sth December another would have fallen due, and there wonMnot harobeen,anything to cover - it unless Mr. X had provided funds. The total amount paid os premiums, including those credited by the society, was £6l 5s and yesterday a sum of £5lO 19s. was paid to the widow, the £l9 19s. being the value of tho bonus that had accrued. At.the annual meeting of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held at Oamarn on Thursday, May 9th, it was resolved,—That in. the opinion of this meeting the time has arrived when steps should be taken to establish an Agricultural and Pastoral Association iln New Zealand, holdmg periodical exhibitions ft t the centres, on the plan of the Eoyal Agricultural Society of Eng. laud or the Highland Society of Scotland. Tbit V?® sec fotary bo instructed to write to the different societies throughout the island, asking concurrence and assL.tauce in establishing such an institution. It, was also resolved That a company be forro sd for the purpose of erecting a public market .and. corn exchange at Oarnaru, of 1000 shares at £lO each, *

The assessment ...of,, ratable property in I Christchurch is £170y424, ' ! The amount received for pastoral rents m Canterbury is £30,635. The Malvern Hills coal is now being used on the railways with satisfactory results. There are 927 waggons on the Canterbury ‘ railways, being an average of 21J waggons per mile. Tlio total strength of the volunteer force of Otago, exclusive of Oamaru and Invercargill, is 858 volunteers and 685 cadets. Count do Zaba has given a series of lectures in Auckland on the literature of Poland, in aid of local charities. The Timaru Custom’s revenue for the month of April is £1665, as against £1412 for the corresponding month of last year. A young daughter of Mr Xhxon, publican, Auckland, struck a match, which ignited her 1 nightgown, and so injured her that it is doubtful if she will recover. At a sale of land on May 2, a number of sections at Fapanui, nearly three miles from Christchurch, sold at .the rate of £IOOO per

acre net. , , Great interest continues to be taken m the cement at Weatheratone, Otago, The prospects are very encouraging. The machinery will be erected in the coarse of a moutii or two. A man named Henry Close was killed at Waikaia by a tree falling on hini. is not known whether he has any friends in the colony. Sergeant Hughes, while arrestmg Samuel Badham for wife desertion in Christchurch, was stabbed by Badham in the lower part of the loin, but fortunately the wound is not dangerous. - During 1877, 1637 criminal offences wore committed in Christchurch, and 1627 arrests were made. Of these only 106 were discharged.' The remainder were summarily convicted or sent for trial. 962 of the cases were for drunkenness. Cooper and Bailey’s performing elephant Titania died just before the Golden Sea sailed from Auckland with the Circus. The animal swallowed the contents of a man’s, pocket, including a largo box of matches, which is supposed to have been the cause of her death. : The Ashburton lifail states that while Mrs. Scott-Siddons was in Christchurch, she was. induced by.favorable reports to invest in the purchase pfdanded estate in the .County of Ashburton. She has since been: offered, and has refused, £4OOO advance on her bargain. The first meeting of shareholders in Guthrie and Darnaeh’s woodware factory, was held in Dunedin on Wednesday afternoon, May 8 th.. The net profit realised on seven months’ working amounts to £15,180, which is to be appropriated as follows :—Dividend, 10

; per cent., £7287 ; two and a half per cent, bonne, £lß2l. Carried to reserve fund, £SOOO. Balance, £lO7l. From Auckland we learn that soma naval officers of the Wolverene went into Grant and Morton’s auction mart on Friday, May, 3rd, and warned them that in flying a white ensign they were liable to a fine of £SOO, as only navy and royal yachts could legally fly such flags. They said if the flag was not removed they would send a file of marines ashore to take it down. Mr Martin immediately removed the flag, but was told by one of the officers that he might use the flag if slightly altered. Information from native sources from Waikato speaks strongly of the decline of Tawhiao’s influence. The old Maori mode of worship, as amended and taught by him, is becoming unpopular. He endeavored to get Te Kooti to join this faith, but the latter refused. The religion taught by Te Kooti is founded on portions of the Old Testament, and is becoming more popular every day. Many pilgrimages are being made to the High Priest, who prophesies his return to the district, his birthplace, within three years. A fatal accident occurred at Inoholme, Kakanui, on May 3. A man named Alexander Macandcew was in the act of getting on to a threshing machine while it was being removed, when his foot slipped, he fell to the ground, and one wheel of the machine passed over his body. Dr. Webster was sent for, but. before he arrived Maoandrew was dead. The deceased was a single man, 35 years old, and owned a farm, in , conjunction with his brother, at Portobelio. At the half-yearly meeting of the National Insurance Company the balance-sheet showed, In round numbers, a revenue of £48,000, as against losses, &c.,, amounting, to £35,000, leaving a balance of £13,000 for distribution as follows Dividend of 10 per cent., £2500 ; bonus of 6d perjihare, £2500; leaving a balance of £BOOO to be carried to reserve fund.

The prospectus has been advertised of a company to take over from Reed and Fenwick tho Otago Daily Times and Witness newspapers, capital £IO,OOO, in £lO shares, £30,000 to be called up. It is announced that half of tho shares have been already taken up by the provisional directors. These are the Hon. Mr. Reynolds, Sir John Richardson, Captain Fraser, Judge Chapman, Messrs R. Campbell, Stout, John Reed, Leary, Marshall (mayor), Guthrie, Hallenstein, Fenwick, Bastings, M.H.R., Hardy, and Dr. Hocken. The bal-ance-sheet for the last half-year as audited shows a profit at the rate of 18 per cant, on the capital to be called up. Reed and Fenwick take '350 shaves each, with the positions of editor and managing director for two years. A wager of somehwat novel nature was decided a few days ago at Papanui. Mr. J. Wild, of the Sawyers’ Arms Hotel, backed a man named William Ponninghouse, for £lO,. to erect three chains of post-and-rail fencing within eight working hours. The conditions were-—two rails, Oft. in length, to be pointed, the post to be morticed and sunk 2ft. 6in. in the ground. Ponninghouse worked steadily throughout without making any great apparent effort, and completed the work in a substantial manner easily within the time. Mr. Wild thus won his bet.

The schooner Mazeppa, from Samoa, reports that the Samoan fine was not paid without trouble. Twenty-four hours elapsed without any answer being given by the native Government. At the end of that time, Captain Murray, of the Sappho, informed them that if the £IOOO balance of the Barracoota fine was not paid before 1 p.m. on the following Monday, he would first destroy all Government property at Mallin, and then, if satisfactory arrangements were'not come to, he would destroy other villages and increase his demands. This appears to have stirred them, up, for on the following Monday the £IOOO was duly paid. _ The outward English and American mail despatched per the Rotorua on Saturday consisted of 5381 letters, 329 newspapers, 8283 book parcels for England, and 338 letters, 21 book packages, and 363 newspapers for America. . In re colonial defence Sir George Grey has forwarded the following resolution of Ministers to the Governor, in reply to an Imperial telegraphic despatch ; —“ Sir George Grey presents his respectful compliments, to the Marquis of Normanby. The New Zealand Ministers reply to her Majesty’s Government, that the colony will undertake the expense of the proposed armament. Her Majesty may rest assured that her New Zealand subjects will, in the event of any crisis, loyally and resolutely in all respects do their duty to their Queen and country. Sir George Grey requests that the Marquis of Normanby will be so good as to at once telegraph a copy of tins memorandum to her Majesty s Government for their information. We (Napier Daily Telegraph) are glad to hear, that Mr, Grindell has been abundantly successful in securing support amongst Europeans and natives for the Maori newspaper about to be established by a company at Gisborne. Mr. Grindell has sold nearly 200 shares at £5 each, and promises in thhs district have been made to take up the required balance, or even more if necessary. We look upon the Gisborne venture ns a most beneficial one for any true hearted settler to enter into. It is absolutely necessary that the Maori population should be supplied with truthful information, and bo correctly educated m political matters, considering how extensively they are enrolling themselves on the; electoral rolls of the colony. Mr. Grindell is now on his way to Wellington to purchase the plant, and as soon as the press machine arrives from Melbourne the publication of the new Warn Maori will commence. . The Governor presided at the inaugural meeting of the Auckland Young Men’s Christian Association on May 3. In his opening address he said he desired when the opportunity offered to evince his appreciation of associations such as the one in connection with which the present meeting was held. He considered the character aud progress of a nation greatly depended upon the education, and social condition of its, inhabitants. Ha referred to the spread of knowledge and the increased facilities for the education of the young. In a country in which schools are supported by the State it has been found impossible to conduct religious education in public schools so as to meet the views of the various religious bodies, and therefore it is most essential that in every Christian country religious education should be available. He advocated the formation of associations such as the Auckland Young Men’s Christian Association, and considered they were the best means of preventing the spread of drunkenness, , :

The census o£ Coromandel , shows the total ■ population to be 2093. , . '■ ‘ The burgess’list ,b£ ,the pity oLDunedin for the present year comprises 2373 names. _ ! The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society have decided to make an effort to introduce , the sugar maple into Canterbury. : The complete census returns of the Thames electoral district are just to hand. The total population is 12,516 ; in 1871 it was 12,289 ; in 1871, 11,950. - ■.:■■■ ~. The ceremony of receiving two young ladies into the Order of St. Dominick, took place m St. Joseph’s Church, Dunedin, of May 1. Ihis was the first religious reception in Dunedin. , : There has bean a great earthquake at the New Hebrides, which raised the land along the harbor 20£t. Many fish were thrown up, and canoes destroyed. -.■■■• , , ■ ■■ An accident occurred on Tuesday last to a little child, a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Dawson. She slipped off a chair and broke her arm. It has been set, and she is now progressing favorably. Telegrams from Alexandra state that Ta Kooti wasnear Kopuaon May Ist, with twenty followers. He got drink from the settlement, and Tawhiao sent peremptory orders for him to leave. Te Kooti has since gone to Kuiti. On a trip from the New Hebrides to Auckland the passengers-and crow of the brigantine Ada Owen (with the exception of the captain and passengers Nolan and Darrach) were stricken with the island .fever shortly after leaving the islands; two died. There have been fearful hurricanes in the New Hebrides. Houses were demolished, and some sheets of corrugated iron were carried half a mile ; trees were uprooted aid crops destroyed. ; The natives are starving. ihe Chary bdis, an Auckland vessel, is a total wreck. The Ebenezer, schooner, want ashore.; The following is the result of the Canterbury University Undergraduate' Examination 1878 ; —Passed final examination and entitled to B.A. degree;—Ticbett, Hill, Newton, Battray, Tis-

dale. Passed 2nd sectionßarclay, Cameron, I’avnio, Montgomery, White, Wilkinson. _ The iollowing have gained; senior; acholai'sluiH: Farnie, Hay, Herbert, Wilkinson. Mr. Sheehan has given the Thames County Council permission to enter on ad native lands; within the Ohinemufi District for the purpose of making ■ surveys and carrying on road work where - required, thus placing the legal position to deal with native obstructions. This is in consequence of native threats, and the stoppage of road works by them. Seven canoes, four being large war canoes, with fully manned crews, arrived at Alexandra on April 26th totake Sir George Grey and Mr, Sheehan to the Hikuraugi meeting. There was quite a holiday, to witness their arrival, which was a grand sight. No: Europeans will be allowed to be present at the meeting. PuuuIcutu and Ngatihawa are in charge of the ridge leading to the settlement, Theßev. Dr. Somerville concluded his evangelistic services in Christchurch by a service at the Theatre Royal on the night of April 29, when 2000 persons were present. The collection in aid of the Young Men's Christian Association realised over £BO. Dr. Somerville’s services in Canterbury have been very successful. In Dunedin, where he has also held services, he continued to fill the theatre twice daily. Thomas O’Toole, while working m a well at Christchurohf.was buried by a fall of earth, and; died before he could be rescued. The men engaged digging out heard him speak several times, until some one pulled out a piece of timber to make more room to work in, when shingle beo-an to run into the lower part of the well. O’Toole soon after gave a groan, and musthave expired then, as when taken out he had. been dead for some time. The neighborhood of the Rimutaka tunnel would seem to be a pretty lively one, and the existence of sly-grog shops appears to have caused a deal of disorder there. The proprietor of one of these establishments was summoned to the Resident Magistrate's Court on April 26 and fined £2O and costs. This apparently unexpected call upon defendant to contribute to the revenue was met by him by prompt payment on the spot. , We understand that Messrs W. and E. Lockington, of Ross, Westland, have just purchased an acre of land at Newton with a view to establishing a sash and door factory. The additions to local industries of all kinds which are being made ,in and near Wellington are highly satisfactory, and afford additional proof of the high opinion entertained by men of business of °the present and future commercial prospects of this city and the surrounding districts. •

The Albion Hotel, at the corner of Torystreet and Courtenay-place, has, we understand, been let on lease by Mr. Collins to Mr. O. Martin (who retains a half share in the property) and Messrs, Pascoe and Donald, for forty-five yeats, at, a rental of £SOO a year, and a bonus of £2OO being paid. , This, in common with other hotel property, and indeed with real estate generally throughout Wellington and the neighborhood, has risen greatly in value within the past few years. In the case of Perry Davis and others against Wilkins and sub - agents, heard in Dunedin on Tuesday, April ' 30th, Judges; Johnston and Williams ruled that the plaintiffs were entitled to an injunction to restrain tho defendants from selling or parting with a substance known as “painkiller in bottles, bearing the label of defendants at present used, or from making use of a label in any way resembling that of plaintiff. There was an assay on April 30th of copper ore from D’Urville's Island, which has just been leased to Mr. Charles Redwood from natives for 21 years. Thousands of tons lie exposed on the surface. The outcrop, has boon traced about a mile, averaging sft. in thickness. The first sample tested gave 18i per cent, pure metal; picked specimens go as high as 70. per cent. Mr. Redwood intends forming a company at once, which will be floated in a few days. . The trial of Ryan for the murder of -Daniels at Hokitika extended over three days, and was concluded on May 2. The Crown Prosecu-. tor addressed the jury for one hour. Mr. Purkiss, for the defence, spoke two hours. He urged with great force the points in favor of the prisoner ; his analysis of the evidence of the two principal witnesses for the Crown was masterly, and his peroration made a great impression on the jury. Judge Richmond summed up very minutely and clearly, - After retiring for one. hour,, the jury acquitted the prison, who was discharged. - ; Oh May' 9th the Wellington Artillery Cadets mustered at the Central Fire Brigade Station for the distribution of the prizes won by the various .members .of the. corps. There were 21 prizes, amounting in value to about £2O. Mrs. Best (wife of Captain Best) presented the prizes to the various winners, after which Lieutenant Fraser stepped forward and presented Captain Best, on, behalf of the members of the corps, with a handsome drawing-room clock and gold pencil case, as a mark of their esteem and appreciation of him and his services to the corps. Captain Best returned thanks on behalf of Mrs. Best and himself, and complimented tho corps on their state of efficiency, which he attributed mainly to the exertions of their drill instructor, Ser. rreant-Major Mowatt, for whom he called upon the corps to give three cheers. He nlso asked them to pay a like compliment'to Captain Moss, to whom the corps were greatly indebted for the use of the Central Fire Brigade Station. These calls were heartily. responded to., The Governor, while on awisit to Auckland, proceeded to Hokianga in H.M.S. Wolvenue, and as the steamer with His Excellency on hoard steamed up the river, salutes were fired from the shore and the French vessels ; firing continued till the steamer, anchored. . A large number of natives were present to receive his Excellency. After a war dance a native meeting took place, at which several of the chiefs addressed the Governor. After partaking of luncheon, the Governor and party loft for Aeke, en route for Auckland. Half-an-hour afterwards about 400 natives fully armed came down the river in their Hrge canoes and were much disappointed to find that the Governor had left, as it had been fully understood that he was going to le ICohukohu, where they had been waiting to receive him. After a short dance with tho natives at Herd s Point, and much firing .of musketry, the upriver natives left for their settlements in their C!l On April 30th the telephone which has been recently erected for Mr. B. W. Mills : estabmeut was brought into operation between the warehouses in Hunter and Fentherston streets and the ironyard in Featherston-street, a distance of 600 yards. Dr. Lemon, the General Manager of the Telegraph Department, was at one end, and Mr. Biddell. Mr. Mills manager,, at the other. Conversation was entered into, and kept up for some time with the greatest ease, the voices being quite audible, and clear.. The telephones used in Mr. Mills establishment were made by Lowart, of Berlin, and were fitted up by Mr. J. E. Hayes, of Lambtou-. quay The cost, wo understand, of tho apparatus and fittings is about £ls, and tho whole works admirably. It will bo a great convenience to Mr. Mills’ establishment,, and ins example will probably be followed by other leading mercantile men' hero. _ Indeed there can be very little, doubt that before long, telephonos will come into vcrygoneral use.

The land sales in Canterbury for the month of April realised £7.0,000. Dr. Hector, has. completed thaanalysis ofi .the* contents of the stomachs of .the . horses that recently died; at Cartlepoint, and has discovered that the stomachs contained a quantity of arsenic. , John Matheson, who was hurt at the accident at the Rimutaka tunnel on Thursday, is now considered out of danger. It was at first thought that he : would lose his eyesight, but there is little or no fear of that now. 1 , ' A sale of a quarter of an acre of land at Vogel town for .-€IOO is reported. Mr. Tri ogham was the seller, and the buyer.: has commenced to build.: : This ,is good proof of the way in which laud near .Wellington is rising in price. . The demand fov labor in Otago appears,to continue steady. The contractor for the railway works near Clinton advertises in Dunedin for 500 men, to b? engaged either by tin piece or on wages,'and states that he is prepared to give good rates! ■ At a meeting of the Gas Company on Wednesday it was resolved to -make : extensive alterations aud. improvements to the building u icil as offices, by taking off the present roof, adding an upper story, and otherwise increasing the accommodation. . . . The New Zealand Times Companionship held their annual wayzegpose on May 4th. 'Thera was a kind of, picnic at the Hutt/ and a dinner at the Panama Hotel,' Te Aro, in the evening. Something about the festivities appears in another column. Hans for a very extensive and handsome building', to be erected by the Colonial Bank of, Now Zealand on the ground recently purchased in Lambton-quay, have been prepared by Mr. Turnbull, and forwarded for approval to, the bead office of: the bank at Dunedin., It.is probable that the building will bo of brick.. The police have received information that a man named Duke Harris died suddenly on T nesday, morning, at Masterton, from a fall. It appears that the unfortunate man was getting down from a hayloft, wheri his foot slipped arid he fell heavily to the ground. Medical attendance was procured as soon as possible, but the sufferer died shortly afterwards. It is thought that deceased injured his spine. _ , The inward Suez mail, which arrived la Wellington per the s.s. Arawata on Saturday morning,; consisted; of 520 letters, 180 books, and (1620 newspapers, via Brindisi, .and 246 letters,,.l4s-books,, and 1120 newspapers via Southampton. Trie, outward mail despatched by the same stearaer’in the evening was made up.as follows:— M' letters, 12 books, and 13 newspapers via Brindisi, aud 530 letters, 18 books, and 205 newspapers via Southampton, i A sad accident occurred on the night of May Ist in ■ Mr. Benzoni’s house, Tinakori-road, by the bursting of a kerosene lamp, when the servant-girl, Hannah Barnes, was severely burned. She was at once taken to the Hospital, where her injuries were .attended to. The unfortunate girl-after suffering great pain died at four, o’clock the following morning. , , Arrangements are at present being made to organise a series of popular scientific lectures, to be delivered on Saturday nights in the lecture hall of the AthenEeum. The charge for admission will be the nominal sum of sixpeuce. We understand that the Hon. Sir George Grey, Dr. Hector, W. T. L. Travers, Esq., Dr. Buller, and others have promised to lecture. By treating scientific matters in a popular way many persons would be enabled to understand things which are now regarded as mysteries, and which the, unassisted student would not master without, much study. The. committee wish to take as their model the Manchester science lectures, for these are well known to have produced most beneficial results.. A little boy scarcely, thirteen years of ago was placed in the dock at the Resident M'gisrate's Court on Wednesday, charged with throwing a stone at another little fellow aud hurting him on the knee. The accused, who was a smart well-spoken lad, pleaded ;not - guilty. After the plaintiff had given, bis evidence, accused said he wished to ask him a few questions. , He then commenced his cross-exami-nation as follows “ Did I beat and assault you?” Plaintiff : “No.” “Then why do you state in your information that I beat and assaulted you?” Plaiutiff : “I do not know.” “Did I .hurt you?”. Plaintiff : “Yes.” “Did I aim the stone at you?” Plaintiff : " I think you aimed at a gas pipe.” Accused, to the Bench: “ Yes, your Worship ; I aimed the 1 stone at a gas pipe, when the stone rebounded and hit the plaintiff on tho leg.” 1 His Worship dismissed. the case, and cautioned the youngster not to throw stones any more. The trotting match against time which was won on April 29th by Mr. Hammond was ah event worthy of note ; for the horse made excellent time, arid finished strong and well, giving good proof of both speed and endurance. Sir. Hammond wagered that his horse would trot sixteen miles within an hour, and Mr. Watt backed time. The course was from Schultz’s Awahuri Hotel to Palmerston and: back; the road being: good; and the distance each way , eight miles. . Mr. Hammond, who weighs between twelve: and thirteen . stone, rode, having a horse galloping in front of him awl another alongside .to encourage his; stepper, which went .thoroughly well all through, and did not break. The winning post was reached in slmin, 47sec. after the start; ; the backers of the horse thus winning by smin. 135e0., equal to about one mile and a half. Mr. Hammond, senior, was so corifident of the trotter’s powers that he was prepared to bet that it would do the last four' miles quicker than than the first four.- Mr. J. Prosser was time-keeper. The. event attracted a good deal of attention in the district, and was witnessed by a considerable, number of persons. The performance is equal to about seventeen miles and a half in the hour. , A shocking accident occurred a short distance from Eeatherston on Sunday, May 5, to Mr. Glellaud, manager of the Bank of New Zealand in that town. He was driving aldng the Greytown-road, when the horse, becoming startled by men riding behind, bolted, and commencing to. buck, upset the buggy. Mr. Clelland was thrown on his head, and Mr. Luxford, who was also in tho trap, fell on top of him. Mr. Luxford escaped unhurt,. but Mr. Glellaud was found to ..be unconscious. He was removed to the bank, .and attended by Dr., Spratt, who ascertained That ho was, suffering from, concussion of the brain, and it was feared a fracture of the base of the skull. He continued unconscious, and’ as the symptoms were very alarming, including bleeding from' the ' cars, it was feared that there were but little hopes of recovery. Prom marks on the forehead it was surmised that Mr. Clelland struck the front of his. head, but . the fracture is at the back. After, the accident the horse continued kicking until- ha , got free from the buggy. Wo have since heard that hfr. Oleland is in a fair .way for recovery. ■ ( The first of a series of amateur concerts for the purpose of augmenting the building fund of the Athenraum was hold in the lower hall of that building on May Gth, Every seat was occupied, in ’fact,' many persons had'to stand. There is very little doubt, if these concerts are conducted in the same excellent style as that of Monday, they will be largely patronised, and prove a source of amusement during the long winter evenings,. Mr. George Hunter, M.H.R., previous to - the concert, addressed a few words to the audience, and :remarke,d, that there was yet a debt owing to the’ building fund, and he hoped the people of Wellington would patronise tho concerts. He assured those present I that the' various songs and recitations‘would be very well worth. ! listening to. The * committee must have been ’ highly pleased on Monday that their efforts had been so well rewarded. The first item on the programme .was a selection froin “llßarbiere," which was very ; nicely played by those who took part in it. . The gentleman, who pang the “ Village Blacksmith ” , was deservedly applauded and encored., “Waiting" was very prettily sung by a .young lady who possesses a sweet voice, aud her rendering of the song was highly appreciated. Tho ballad “Once again " and the song “Will o’ the Wisp ” were both nicely sung by two well-known gentlemen " amateurs. The first part of tho programme was - brought to a close by Madame Moellersinging “Robert toi que j’aime,” which was vociferously encored. “Must I forget thee" was sweetly sung by a young lady. The gentleman who sang Regret ” has a nice tenor voice,- and his rendering of the song was-well received. A comic song entitled “ Always sold” appeared to amuse the audience immensely. . It was encored, and the 1 singer responded .by, giving another .comic song. The company singing the “National Anthem” brought a most enjoyable concert to a close. - .The-whole: of the .musical portion was under , the ; management of Madame iMoeller, who also.accompanied all Ihe singers. The prooecds of- the;concert amounted, to *617. Several times during the evening a number of young men—perhaps thoughtlessly—kept time to some of the songs by stamping, their feet on the floor.; >;,l£. they know how annoying it.was .both c to. cthe remainder ..of the audience and thoseitaking part in the, performance perhaps they would desist at; future concerts. In conclusion,Mr. Hunter, lin a. few appropriate remarks, thanked those ladies and gentlemen who had been; the: means of affording such an excellent progrimmo. , .

Messrs. -Greenfield and .Stewart, of Cour-tenay-place, have; sold their business, plant,' premises, vessels, See., for <£22,000., The buyers; being Messrs, ifutoheris and C.’ Stewart. In Dunedin on Monday , night, May_l3th, there were five thousand applications for tickets of admission to hear Dr. Somervilles lecture on “ The Bible for the World. The following sporting item appears in the Clutha, Lanier “ Messrs. Oowie, Nelson, and Hewitson have made the largest bag we have hoard falling to the share of any sportsmen in this quarter this season. During three days at. the.Mat.aura they secured 70 ducks, 200 rabbits, 123 swaniii hens, aud I.boar.” _ The rep art submitted at tho annual: meeting of the Horticultural Society, held on May’3rd,; referred to the desirability of the garden of the late Mr. Ludlain, at the .Hutt,.being obtained for a public, recreation ground, and-as a place from which seeds and plants might be distributed throughout tho colony. The object the committee have in view was approved ■ by the society, and it now remains for some person to take practical steps to accomplish the end sought. A large number of Mongolians arrived in ■Wellington on May 9th from Sydney by the Wakatipu, eh route foe Otago, whore they purpose directing their efforts to the finding of gold. “John,” ever ready to earn a shilling or two, landed with several small goods for sale, a quantity of which was easily disposed of. They appear to be a healthy and a much stronger set of men than the ordinary Chinee one usually meets in these parts, and no doubt by -their undaunted perseverance they will soou accumulate enough of the precious, metal to enable them to follow other pursuits. The time-table for the Wanganui and Foxton line hits been arranged as follows ; —■ Trains will leave each end at 6 a.rri., aud run through by 11.30, In-tho afternoon, trains will start at 4.15, reaching their respective destinations at 9.45. A stoppage oi 15 minutes will be made at Halcombe for refreshments. At one time it was intended that passengers should fetriain all night at Halcombe, hut° fortunately for travellers this has been avoided. With the time-table as above any one leaving Wellington by coach early in the morning will reach Wanganui the same night. Although the line has not yot been formally opened, some passengers have made the journey by it. The Oroimiell Argus records a -most dastardly act of sacrilege committed at the Church of England, Queenstown, recently. It appears that on the night of April 20th the miscreant entered the church ami smashed tho rails in front of the communion-table, as well as several valuable' vases, besmeared the furniture and books with blood and filth; and carrying away the altar-cloth, deposited it in a neighboring ; yard. Naturally there is gr.at excitement and indignation felt 'over the dastardly act, and the police are active in their endeavors to secure the person or persons who have so far forgot common; decency. Happily such occurrences are rare, and it is to be hoped the guilty party in this case will receive the punishment so richly deserved. Mr. Duncan of the Grove showed us a great curiosity a few days ago (says the Marlborough Express), 1 It was a medal struck off to commemorate the sailing of Captain Cook s expedition to New Zealand. It was of bronze, in size about that of the old twopenny piece, marked by fire and corroded by weather, and ■was found .in Tuna Bay,-,the: S.W. island of Felorus Sound, next the Oroixelies, lying on the surface of the ground where were marks of an old Maori blearing. On one side was the inscription “ George . 111., , King of Groat Britain,- France, and Ireland." On the reverse side--" The Resolution and Adventure ” at the top, in the centre a very good representation of the two vessels, and between them “Sailed from England, March, 1772.” It is noteworthy that Captain Cook speaks of these medals, and states that he made a cairn on the top of The Brothers,. in which he deposited several of them, with coins and other articles, but on Ws return he found the contents had been carried away, nor did he again trace them. [A similar medal is in the possession of ono of the members of the staff of this paper. It was found about fifteen-years ago, aboqt eighteen miles from Dunedin], : Referring to the discovery of gold near Mount Cook by two photographers in the employment of Messrs. Burton Brothers, of Dunedin, the .Greymouth Evening Star says : “■They were very reticent ;ou what they had discovered, but the simple fact of their making such a perilous journey for mining tools alone would fairly lead to the inference that it must have been'something very good to induce them to do so. One of tho Burton party had an almost miraculous escape. ■He was passing round an extremely dangerous place, when ho slipped and. fell, but a small tent that was strapped on his back caught in an overhanging branch, and held him suspended till his companions released' him from his horrible position. Ori'their return they intended to go up tho River Totara, with the hope of being able to get up at the back of Mount Mueller, aud thus avoid a great deal of this Alpine travelling. As a 1 proof of 'the probability of an enormously rich goldSeld being situated about the head of the Waiho, to which point the adventurous party has gone, we are informed on reliable authority that far lower down, at the foot of the right hand branch of the river, some huge boulders ‘covered with moss are found, and in this moss, to the very top of them, a good prospect of gold can always be found, on one occasion a piece nearly an ounce being got. This has evidently been brought down from the head of the river, and seems to prove conclusively the existence of a goldfield of vast extent; and richness. In connection with the : right-hand branch of the Waiho a singular natural qahenomenon Is found. The water of. the river is icily cold, and the gjaoier is only two miles from it. Between the two, and within a quarter of : a mile of the main branch of the river, is a hot spring that boils incessantly.” ■■ ■

: From Gore, wo learn that the engine of the 4.30.p.m. train, from Invercargill on Sunday, May 12th, when, five and a half miles northof Gore, fell into a hole about 14ft. deep aud 20ft. in width, through the line being washed away. The night was dark, and the engine-driver did not notice the break until on it. Before he could shut off the steam the engine fell through, and now lies in a very awkward position, with, a cant to the right of about 45 degrees, and only kept from rolling over by a luggage van and one tail, on which the wheel was resting. No one wasinjurod, The 11 engine-driver and stoker were' knocked about a bit. Black, of the Public Works Department, fell off as the train was falling into the hole.- There were only a few passengers aboard—H. Driver, of Dunedin, and J. Baron, of Clinton, were amongst tlie number. It is a matter of no surprise that no one was injured, as the train was going very slowly at the time.. The .guard had previously been told everything avas right ahead by the aur-faoo-raan, who had passed over the line; but breaks were caused I n n short' space of 1 time by the heavy rain which fell during the day having-been damned up along the line. A messenger was sent to Invercargill at 9.30 p.m. - with the information for the railway authorities, and Mr. Arthur, the general manager, with a good number of men, leffc luveroargiU early next morning. !! After being delayed near Waikaka station through another break in the line, they reached the scene of the accident about 2 p.m.. Verylittle was done except lowering the line aud preparing the work for the following day. 1 .. ' A meeting of the Working Men’s Club was held at , tho Manners-street,- Fire Brigade Station,on May 13, to arrange matters in connection with the proposed Art Union and Fine Arts Industrial Exhibition. The chairman informed the meeting that a license would have to be obtained for the new club house if the exhibition was hold there, and until such license was'granted it could not be decided whether to hold tlie exhibition or not. However,: there would: be very little; difficulty in obtaining the: necessary license, but if not, the art union would be hold alone. A letter was read from M,r. W. Hutchison, regretting his inability to-attend the meeting, and also stating thatj.hp should bo most happy at all times to qo-operate with the club in forwarding its interests. • Letters were read from Messrs. Levin and . Co., agents for the U.S.S. Co. ; W, Bishop, agent for McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co.'; and Charles Deacon, agent for the Anchor Line of Packets, stating that the several steam 1 companies which-they represent are willing to carry all exhibits for the Indus- ■ trial Exhibition free from the several ports in ; the colonies at which their boats touch. It was stated also that a letter had been sent to the Hon. Mr. Maoaudrew, Minister for Public Works, asking, permission that exhibits, might be carried free on the railways of the polony; but no answer had yet been received from him. After a short discussion it was resolved that circulars should ha forwarded to the several leading citizens of the town, asking them fit they would forward any works of; art or curiosities that they might possess for the exhibition,. It was also: resolved that the entire management of the art union and exhibition should bo left to Mr. R. W. Cary, who had .considerable experience iu such matters, as-Biotocl-by the committee ; and aitor some discussion as to minor details. the meeting separated.

, -New premises are-about to.he-erected-!or-the Bank of Australasia at Masterton, Marton, Sanson, and Wanganui. , ~, ; !,1; A New.Zealaud Gazette extraordinary,' issued' 1 on May 13, further prorogues Parliament until the 15th of June. A half-acre of land,',with a mill erected thereon, in Manners-street, . the property of Mr. T. Kebbell, has changed bauds at £BO9O. The Christchurch Drainage Board have decided to adopt Mr. Clarke’s soh-eme for the drainage of Christchurch. William Patterson, a surface man, while working on tho Blueskiu railway line fell down from the cliff, and died in half-au-hour. A man named Power has been sentenced in the Dunedin Police Court to thiee months hard labor for disobeying the order of the Court to contribute to the support of his children in the Industrial School. . - Constable David Devine, fell down dead fit the police barracks in Lyttelton, on. May loth. Tho supposed cause of death is of a blood vessel. The deceased had been stationed there for some time, and was much respected. We understand that the regular running of trains carrying passengers and mails from Waiwanui through to Foxtou will not be commenced before the 22nd instant. It was hoped that constant traffic would have been began before that date. A sub-branch of the National Bank of New Zealand has been opened in Ouba-street for the accommodation of the bank s customers in Te Aro, Another office has also been opened in Moles worth-street for tho accommodation of customer’s iu the Thorudon end of the city. The body of a girl named Bowling was found in the River Avon, Christchurch, on Thursday, May 16th. It is supposed she committed suicide. She had been iu a low state of mind for some time, and was engaged to be married to a young man who was lost with the ship Avalanche. We understand that as soon as Ministers are all in Welliugton very extensive reductions in the Civil Service will be made. It is said that considerably over 100 officers arid receive notice that they are no longer required. Among the departments in which important alterations will be effected,- tho Treasury, Audit, Stamp, and Native departments may be mentioned. . . , :. . ; ■ . The Government have determined to stop the sale of native reserves. Seven were offered to--Government- during. Mr. Sheehan’s recent visit to the King country, but were declined. He informed the-natives'' that ; the reserves were made to prevent their becoming landless. A Urge number of-reserves have been alienated during'the last few years to , private. speculators. ■ ■ ■ ■ A social gathering in the shape of a ball was held at the Polytechnic on tho evening.of May 10, in connection with the Dixon cricket match, and passed off satisfactorily.. There were about 25 couples present, and dancing was kept up, to the strains of excellent music, till the small hours of the morning. During the evening refreshments were provided most liberally, and altogether the affair was a very enjoyable arid successful one. , : At the Christchurch Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning,' May 15th, James Woodford, an ■ elderly man,' and third master of the ' East' Christchurch School, was committed for trial on a ■ charge ;:of committing a criminal assault upon a girl, ten years of age, who attended the school. The evidence appears very conclusive,- At- the termination of the casi the mother of the girl, in a very excited state, made her way into Court aud threatened to kill Woodford. -: : A number of the members of, the Britannia and'Antipodean Lodges met in the Odd Fellows’ Hall on May 14th, and;presented Mr.; Daniel Susans with a very handsome marble timepiece, as a recognition of his services as chairman of the hall committee. ■ The presentation was made by Mr. Thomas McKenzie, who iu a few appropriate remarks referred to the great services that, Mr. Susans had ran-, derod on all occasions in connection with the hall. The clock, which is very substantial, as well as ornamental, bears the recipient’s nameon a plate of silver let into the marble frame of the clock.

Mr. Turnbull, architect, has prepared plans for the alterations to the Odd Fellows’ Hall. The front of the present building is to be removed, and replaced by four shops, with plate-glass windows. Over these shops, and running round to the north side of the building, there will be added eight rooms, designed principally for offices. All the additions are to be of stone aud brick,, The gallery inside the hall is also to be pulled down, and in its place a dress-circle will be erected, in horseshoe form. When these additions are completed, the appearance of the building,,both, inside and out, will be greatly improved, At the Bethel, Herbert-street, ou May 16th, the ceremony ot baptising six candidates for admission, to the Baptist Church was formed. The Rev. Mr. Harrington conducted the service, and,preached an interesting aud impressive sermon, taking his text from the 12th verso of the Bth chapter of the Acts, “But when they believed Philip preaching the tilings concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” After the sermon was concluded, the process of immersing the six candidates, who comprised four males and two females, was gone through according to the rights and practices of the Baptists. The singing of a hymn by the congregation brought the ceremony to a conclusion. Messrs. J. H. Betbune and Co. sold by public auction on May 14th the undermentioned valuable town and country properties,,-build-ing societies’ and N.Z. Shipping Co. shares : Equity of redemption of the old Wellington Club for £I4OO, subject to a mortgage for the sum ot £4000; 13 sections in the township of Beaoonsfield from, £4 to £2O , each; 100 shares in the Wellington. Land aud Building Co., from ,£3 15s. to £3.195. per share; 10 shares in the Wellington and Hutt Building,Society, £ll per share; 20 shares .N.Z. Shipping Co., £4Ts. per share ; Section No, 50, Alfredtowu, containing 50 acres, at £1 17s. 6d. per acre; suburban section No. ,20,. Woodville, 7a. 2r. 3p., for £l5O ; suburban, section No. 997, Palmerston, 3a. 3r. Bp., for £45; 2 allotments, Nos. 1 arid 2, part of town acre No. 264, Eeatherston, for £3OO, At tho meeting of seatholdors iu St, Andrew’s Church, held on May 13, to decide as to accepting a site for a new church, there were about seventy present. Offers had been made of four sites in Bouloott-street, one iu Sydney- : street, one in Hill-street, aud one in Boltcmstreet. Thera was considerable discussion as to which piece ot ground should be bought, aud a strong effort was made to have the new St. Andrew’s Church built in Te Aro; but this proposition'was rejected, and it. was resolved to accept Mr. Rawson’s offer of a piece of land, 90 x 132 feet, with a house erected thereon, in Boltpn-atreet, for £2500. The Rev.' Mi - . Ogg and Mr. P. Laing were appointed a committee to examine .the title and transact other business in connection with the purchase. During the evening the Hou. Robert Hart delivered a very, eloquent speech, in which’, he referred, to the past history of Stl Andrew’s congregation. As this church is now out of debt, the committee will have the whole of the proceeds of the old site to the good, and no doubt, a very handsome and commodious building will be erected. It appeared to be the general opinion of the meeting that it would be desirable that the congregations of St. John’s and St. Andrew’s should -unite in providing a church in the Adelaida-road, and it is probabable this will bo done.

A Supreme Court writ for £2OOO has been served upon the Education Board at tho suit of Mr. Doherty, lately a master at the Te Aro school, Mr. Barton is the plaintiff’s solicitor. Various causes of action are stated. Firstly, that Mr. Doherty still holds the office of assistant master, aud he claims one month’s salary and £2O for house allowance. Secondly, lie sues for having been wrongfully dismissed, the defendants not having complied with tho conditions of the Education Act, having failed to give him any reasonable notice. In the third count he alleges that ho is a teacher of young persons of both sexes, aud the defendants libelled him by stating that he was dismissed for gross misbehavior, by which the plaintiff says ho is falsely suspected of having been guilty of some improper conduct unfitting him for the performance of the duties of a teacher of young persons. He next sues the; Board for having conspired with Mr. Lee, the secretary, and , inspector, to misstate on the minutes of the Beard the nature ot his ; era: ployment, the minutes representing that he was a supernumerary master , instead of an assistant-master at the Te Aro school; whereby tho plaiutiff alleges that he is damaged, because he cannot prove his case for wrongful dismissal.. He is also damaged, he alleges, by its being recorded that he was only appointed untill some proper person could be obtained as assistant-master.. There is a-further count, for that the defendants conspired with Mr. Leo to deprive the plaintiff of all legal remedy for the violation of his rights, by neglecting, contrary to their duty, to enter up a proper minute of their resolution appointing him, and also a ‘proper minute of their resolution dismissing him; whereby he is hindered in bringing his action for wrongful dismissal,; aud lastly he sues the defendants for a further libel iu asserting that ho was a supernumerary mauler. " ’

Hawks, a saihaaker .onboard H.M-Happhire^. during her passage to Auckland! jumpediover-; board l and rescued a man'nameddiegtejjwhoi ; had .fallen' overboard, ,V Hawks; helJVwjipOT 37,miuutes_tili a JwatpiolceJ' tUdmiip. Bigtey] was insensible. This is the seventh life Hawks' has rescued. He holds the Humane Society's medal. A serious collapse occurred on the extension of tho Helensville railway station at Kaipira. 700 ft. of double piling, driven to support tho earthwork along tho river bank, _ gave, way. Tire structure contained 20d,000it. of totara, and was intended to carry 30,010 yards of earthwork, but has given way under the weight of the first hundred tons. The concert given in the Odd Fellows Hall on May 16th by the choir of St. Paul s Church and the baud of the Choral Society was very largely attended. The entertainment was given for tho benefit of the Wellington Benevolent Institution, and was under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Norraanhy. The programme was well selected, and contained many gems in the musical vocabulary. All the items were enjoyed by the audience, especially the duct “The elfin call," which was sweetly sung by two ladies, and loudly encored. <• Kathleen mavourneen" was also nicely sung, for which am encore was demanded, and the lady very graciously responded. The, overture to the second part, “ Mdudtrier _de St. Waast,” was perhaps the most enjoyable feature in the programme. The song “ Old Tom Bowling" was well rendered by a gentleman amateur. The programme was brought to a close by the company singing “The chough and crow." People travelling to and from the West; Coast will possibly regret to hear that all.(he tenders for a steam service from - Porirua to Poxton have been declined by the Government, but. their disappointment will bo lessened when they learn that an arrangement has been made with Messrs. Hastwell, Macara, and Co. to run a daily line of coaches between this and Foxton. The first coach left hero on Wednesday moniing, May 22nd, and. reached Poxton at 4 o’clock, in time to catch the 4.15 train to Wanganui, which arrives, at that town at 945 p.m. The regular railway traffic between Foxton and Wanganui for passengers and mails commenced on Wednesday, and on ThursdayVtho" first through passengers were able to leave Poxton for Wellington under the new arrangement.-' Xu order to enable the coach to reach its destination in time, to catch the train, there are seven stages, as follows ; To * Porirua, 12 miles; to Pahautanui, 9 ; to Paikafcariki, 12; to Waikanae, 9; to Otaki, 11 • to Horiwheuua, 12 ; and to Foxton, 13—total, 78 miles. An improvement will in future be effected by, the coaches stopping at XJdy’s Hotel, at the river mouth, instead of going up to Otaki, and passengers and mails will be conveyed to and from that township in a light trap.. Those travelling by the coach wiUdine at Tidy's Hotel, and will be. ready for a start when tho Otaki conveyance returns. This arrangement will save the coach fromj going over a considerable .distance of heavy , road, ami will shorten the journey by one hour in point of time. ■ : : Mr. J. P.' 35. Wright, the managing partner of the West Wanganui Coal Prospecting Gam-: pafiy, who 'has recently returned from a-visit to the mine,, reports: 1 that the schooner Shepherdess had,loaded,.up:with a cargo of coal, and sailed for this port. The Elizabeth Curie has been chartered, and'wiUleave with a'.cargo for here, and may be .expected' soon after the Shepherdess. Two cargoes have been sold in Nelson, delivery to be taken at the pit's mouth, ’ the pricebsing 18s. per ton. There is a ready demand for a large quantity, as the edalia in ’ high favor in that town, and several cargoes would find a- market iat once. The shaft is ■down 53ft., with a chamber 10ft. square, and the main level has been entered 53ffc. A firetrate scam of coal is being worked, a.nd blocks, weighing 4cwt. have been taken out., One of. 'these ‘ will be placed: in the Museum on .the arrival of the Shepherdess. Those of the shareholders who have been at the , mine Are Uglily pleased with its prospects, and: speak confidently that it will prove to be of high value. On the arrival of the first cargo, ib is probable that portions of it will be distri-. tributed to persons who will thoroughly test its merits for gas, steam, and domestic purposes. The ’opening up of so good a mine as. this promises to be will he of great importance, and will prove especially advantageous to Wellington, as almost the whole of-lhe interest, is held here.

Tlie following are particulars of some of the legacies and annuities bequeathed by the late William Barnard Rhodes, of Highland-Park,' near Wellington, merchant To the churchwardens of the parish of Bpworth, Lincoln, £2OO, to be divided amongst the poor ; the Bishop of Wellington, Episcopal Church, £IOO, for the promotion of religious education, and also £IOO for the Diocesan Fund ; the Bishop of Wellington, Roman Catholic Church, £SO, for the promotion of education ; the : trustees, St. Andrew’s Church, St. John’s, and Wesleyan Methodist Church, each,'£so,: for the promotion of education ; the trustees, Benevolent Society, £IOO ; the Wellington Athemeum and Mechanics’ Institute, £IOO, to be laid out' ia the purchase of standard works for the library, to have inscribed in each the name of the donor ; to be applied in the purchase of ground for, and in the erection of, a family vault iu the Wellington Cemetery, and for a marble or brass memorial tablet iu the English Cathedral Church, Wellington, £SOO ; to the governors of . the Wellington College, for the founding of the Rhodes' scholarship, £SOO, the scholarship to be tenable for three years, the terras and the conditions to be at the discretion of the governors. Legacies and annuities of various amounts were left to the £ol- ! lowing His brother’Reberfc Heaton Rhodes, his godson Rhodes Donald, to each of the servants at Highland Park, his clerk Arthur’ Edward Rowden, Frederick .Augustus Krull, his niece Isabella Matilda Outbid, his nephew. Win. Barnard Rhodes, his sistef-in-law Maria Wrhdit, Mrs. Catherine Wemyss, his niece Maria E. Marobautjhis niece Sarah Marion Wright, his nephew Robert* Peter Rhodes, his niece Mary Elizabeth Heaton Rhodes, his sister Mrs. Caroline Littlewood, his sister Mary Ann Jones, Ins sisters Theodosia Maria Rhodes and Margaret. Rhodes, .his niece Mrs. Wright, his niece Mrs. Seymour, and his sister-in-law ■Elizabeth Moorhouse.. Legacies are left, to each of the executors, William Waring Taylor, Thomas Mason, and John Studholme. Mrs. Rhodes is also an'executrix. It is provided that trust moneyk shall' bo invested iu deben- “ tures of the colony of New Zealand, in shares t in the banks in the colony, in first mortgages oh freehold land, or iu the purchase .of free-; bold. . The residuary:legatee is -Miss Rhodes, daughter of the deceased. Wo understand ; that the probate duty will amount to over £20,000, which will be. a not inconsiderable item ia a quarter's revenue. ' Further-particulars'of the hurricane atj Pauvnotus, one of the South Sea group, have been received. The island is only from 10 to 20 feet high, and unfortnnately the centre 6L the nyolbue swept over the most populous and commercially important islands of tho group. Raiaro, Apatai, and Kaukara experienced the full force of the gale on the Cth ; Anaa (the: seat of Government iu the group, where there is a Resident) and the adjoining islands, having; it on the 7th. In Raiaro the full hurricane made a clean sweep of both the settlements, washing away every house, and even the bodies in the graveyard. Some of them' were subsequently eaten by pigs. Many <if the inhabitants saved themselves by getting on to the highest points of - land, and others by tying themselves to cocoanuttreea until the wind and sen abated. Two schooners were lost on the island. One American was drowned at Kaukara, the sea from the lagoon and outside meeting on the laud in a most; extraordinary manner, and quickly submerging it to a depth of six feet. The inhabitants got frightened, took to the boats, and were carried out over a reef. , Some boats were, capsized and 117 persons drowned ; amongst them were one white man, one half-' oast, two Chinamen, and the rest natives. The whiteman is supposed to be George Harder, late of Auckland. About twenty boats, averaging from four to five tons, were lost 1 on this island, besides all the; houses. Many thousand: coooanut-trees were washed away. A few of the native inhabitants, with four Europeans, saved themselves by climbing on the rooks and trees until morning,. when the storm abated.: On Apatai two schooners belonging to Bander ; were thrown ashore; no lives were lost. O i Anaa all the houses, stores, and residences ware washed away by the sea. Thousands of cocoauut-trees were 1 blown down and broken off half-way up, and tho whole place was covered with about throe feet of aaudi The people saved themselves by retreating to the highest point of the island, some tying themselves to tho trees, while the sea washed under them. AU the boats of tho schooner which left the island the day before were capsized, and all hands (18) were drowned, throe being Europeans, one of them Peter Hchmeus, late of Akaroa, New Zealand. The French sent a steamer from Tahiti to ascertain the extent of the disaster. It is estimated that more than one hundred and fifty lives were lost, and fifty thousand pounds worth of property destroyed. The copra trado is ruiuod for the year.

-—A-writ-cUiming— <6l9oo— damagea-for-Übel was served on'Jvray 16th &,t\lhe suit of Messrs. Blundell Bros_nn proprietor of the EvetiiryjrQhranidai'H 'jo 'ntO'J _ Atiajpfiblicinreeting on Mayldth'itlivas resolved to establish nfi* Dbhediu an institution having ' for -ijbr objects thej ifirttual iaiiii' -iabcp.l advancement 1 of"thoie , who are *disiacllnq!l f ,to t ike p ivt in any sectarian association; bir John Coo 10, accompanied by Captain of the Marino Department, find Captain Haliiday, harbor-master, drove round the head of the harbor as far as Evans Bay on May Kith. An examination was made by Sir John Goode in order to obtain the necessary details for his report. The Patea Stall learns that two sections at Hawera changed hands at an average of £SOO per acre, and a Normanhy town section at tho rate of £7OO per,acre, f.and in both these townships is rising in value at a surprisingly rapid rate. Prom tho above we should judge that the younger township of Normahby is taking the, lead -; of• the longer:established centre.

. The first .half-yearly Abatement of the accounts. of,.the Napier Working, Men’s Club, ending March 31st last, appears in tho ItawJee's ■Bay Herald of the 29th ultimo. Prom returns we learn that the receipts' amounted to £4uß 2s. 3d., while tie expenditure, includin'* a cash balance in hand of £49, balancing the accounts, shews that financially. speaking.' the institution has proved a success hitherto. The numerical condition of,the club is as follows: 5 life members, 55 hoilorary, 193 ordinary. Total, 256. - .(.he second of the series of i Athenaeum concerts was held in the Athenmum Hall on May 13. The attendance was very large, and the concert, like the preceding one, was most enjoyable. . Tile overture, selections : from “Norma,” was very nicely played, andwasone of the greatest treats in the programme. The trio “ Magic-wove scarf,” by two gentleman and a lady, , was very creditably’ rendered. Tho gentleman who sang “The vagabond ” was evidently suffering from a severe cold, and ne was uot heard to advantage, Several ladies assisted, and added considerably, to the success of the performance.. Madame Moeller presided in an able manner at the pianoforte. .The proceeds amounted to about.s6ls. 9 It will be remembered that some time ago a ■ Maori named Pukeroa got into evil repute at .the Thames iii consequence of abelief that lie had, by means of witchcraft, injured natives against whom he had grudges; 1 The feeling was so strong against him that he was placed under . police. protection and was brought to Wellington and then taken to Lyttelton, from whence he was forwarded to : Chatham 1 Islands. He continued to support his character as a man possessed of powers mvhich were “no canny” by threatening to kill all who aiinoyifd him. 'He did not threaten bodily violence, but gave it to.be understood that bybhe help of the powers of darkness,- or inakutu, he would destroy all he considered; unfriendly tq, him. In support of his character as a wizard he asserted that he regularly: received midnight visits from the Governor and the Premier, who Were both ■willing to assist; him iti destroying the Morions. . These threats so, frightened :ths natives of the islands 'that; several bf'them have written to the Government begging.lhht Pukeroa may be taken away,-. ■ , 0' , With reference to his Honor Judge Weston'* recent personal inspection's? Nelson’ Greek for the . purpose of.- making, himsi (f ;thoroughly acquainted' with the ...merits of the: case, Graham and party vi; Sherman 'and -’party,’’ li private correspondent of the Grey litaer Argtis sends, the following.:—“ I have been, twenty years on the goldfields. During that time I have never seen or heard of a Judge going on tho ground to, settle a dispute until Friday.:, last. . No - -doubt . the question at issue is one ofgreat, importance, not only'to the miners of Nelson Creek but to all the goldfields in-New,Zealand where tho system of hydraulic working is .carried on ; and the .Judge acted wisely in visiting the’ ground before deciding this important question, upon which the welfare . of this district may depend. But is there another Judge in New Zealand, or ia these colonies, who would' Ulck ! up his trousers above his knees, take a stick in his hand, walk iuto the, water knee-deep ou a cold day, cross and recrogs the creek at a dozen places, and whoa he came to a deep crossing would jump on to a digger’s back" as if he was playing leap-frog, and to crown all, in order to get out of the creek, he hud to wedge himself through a long narrow tail.race, about 20ft. deep, the water rushing down •against his bare legsatthe rate of twelveknotsau hour. Before entering this dangcrom place one of the diggers remarked it would uot be safe to go that way. The Judge said, ‘Go on, I will follow.’ About forty diggers were waiting ou the bank.- When the Judge came out he was, greeted with three hearty cheers for his pluck and bravery. By this act-of . self-sacrifice Judge, Westou has made etornal friends of the’ miners. They say he is the right man in'the right place. Too much praise" cannot be given • for his brave and manly conduct on this occasion. It may here bo remarked that the lawyers who came from GreymoutU • with the Judge took great care’they would: not get their feet wet.”