GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5377, 21 June 1878, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

It has been stated upon what may he taken to he good authority that the following changes in the Department of Justice will be made shortly ; —Mr. Beetham, R.M. at Napier, will be R.M. at Christchurch. Judge Ward will preside in the Christchurch District Court, and he will cease to sit nt Invercargill and Milton, Judge Harvey taking the former, and Judge Bathgate the latter Court. Mr. Woolcombe, B.M. at Timaru, will retire on a pension, and he will be succeeded by Mr. Mellisb, now E.M. at Christchurch. Mr. Mansford, R.M. at Port Chalmers, will be District Judge at Wellington, and will as R.M., succeed Mr. J. C. Crawford, who retires on his pension. Mr. Isaac Newton Watt, R.M. of Dunedin, will have to do duty, at Port Chalmers. It does not appear that the office of District Judge and R.M. at Napier has yet been arranged for. In future justices who wish to continue on the roll will have to take their turn in sitting on. the bench.

A desirable change is about to be made in the management of the Stamp Printing Department. Hitherto stamps have been struck off at the Government Printing Office, but after the first of next month four rooms on the ground floor of the Government Buildings will be used as a stamp printing office, and the staff will be directly under the 'control of the department of the Commissioner for Stamps. Here all postal and duty stamps will be printed. This alteration will relieve the head of the printing office of a good deal of work and responsibility, and should add materially to the efficiency of the Stamp Department.. The regular monthly meeting of the city rifles was held on Monday In the Central Hotel Captain Crowe was in the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The secretary read a statement of accounts for the past month. A number of accounts wore passed for payment, and several others were ordered to stand over until the next special meeting. The following members were appointed a clothing committee :—Lieutenant Christie, and Volunteers Ballinger, Gregg, Stuart, and J. N. Bell. It was resolved to hand over the capitation allowance of the late Sergeant Brewer to his widow. Some discussion took place In connection with the soiree committee, when it was stated that a full report and bal-ance-sheet would be brought up at the next meeting. It was proposed by Lieutenant Walden, and seconded by Sub-Lieutenant Christie, —That Sergeant Bowrie be appointed to confer with the bandmaster, and bring up a report at the next meeting. The election of the other committees, was adjourned. At a meeting of the provisional directors of the West Wanganui Coal Company, held at Mr. Wright’s office on Monday, Captain Moore, the company’s manager, who has just returned from West Wanganui, was present, and reported most favorably of the seam now opened. The coal had rather improved in quality, and was six feet thick. It was resolved to have two punts built for loading vessels, and to obtain an eight-inch lift of pumps for the shaft. This size will be quite large enough to drain all the water that makes into the shaft. An offer to take the mine on tribute, and pay the company 12-J per cent, on the gross yield of coal, was received from miners at the inlet, but it was decided not to entertain it, as the company intended to work the coal on its own account. Captain Moore reported that there was a large demand for the coal in Nelson, and 400 or 500 tons would find a ready sale at a high price. He will return to the mine in a few days, when work will be resumed in raising coal. It has been arranged to have the coal tested by the Railway Department on the Hutt line. Mr. E. W. Mills had a trial made at the Lion Foundry, and the result was as follows : —For 8 A hours’ steaming with West Wanganui coal, consumed 13owt. 2qrs. 121bs. Steams well ; free from clinkers ; no stoking required ; and loaves tubes and furnace free from dirt—burning away to a fine brown powder ash. For 8J hours' steaming with Newcastle coal, consumed Iscwt. Sqrs. 201bs. Steams well, leaving tubes dirty, and a quantity of clinkers in the furnace. Constant stoking necessary to keep it going. The police had no less than four lunatics, or suspected lunatics, through their hands on Wednesday. Two of the number were committed. The other two are only arrested on suspicion, and have yet to be dealt with. "

. It is said that the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian congregation, who recently sold their church property on Lambton-quay for £IO,OOO, are going to erect not only a new church on the Terrace, but they also propose spending £2OOO in the erection of a suitable building for a church in the Newtown District, the necessity for which in that rapidly increasing locality is admitted by all. The action of the St. Andrew’s congregation in coming forward so liberally with a portion of their surplus funds will doubtless be appreciated by the residents of Newtown and its vicinity.

It has been suggested that instead of selling the present Court-house on Lambton-quay the building should be used as a post-office. Those who favor this say that it would enable the site of the post-office, telegraph, and Cus-tom-house buildings to be used for a Customhouse and Telegraph office. Some gentlemen are now moving iu the matter, and it is likely that a deputation will wait upon the Government shortly iu support of this proposal. Applications for over 160,000 shares in the Colonial Insurance Company have been received, and as, there are only 100,000 to be allotted at present, the directors will have a difficult task in apportioning shares to the various applicants. The allotment will probably be finished by the 20th instant, and it is hoped that the official notes will ho posted before the 25th. The large number of shares applied for is strong proof of the favor with which this company is regarded. The total amount promised in aid of the building fund of the Te Aro Roman Catholic schools was up to Sunday evening £603 10s. This includes some amounts which were not put down on the lists of subscribers made out at the Church of St. Blary of the Angels on Sunday night. We hear that Sir. Moody is about to erect a building iu the Adelaide-road, to be used as a public hall, near to the southern terminus of the tramway in the Adelaide-road, where from the rapidly increasing population of the locality he believes, and he is no bad judge in such matters, that such an undertaking' is likely to he a successful one.

There is on view in Mr. Myers’ window, Lambton-quay, an oil painting by Mr. A. S. Allan which plainly tells an incident of Maori warfare. A chief and his wife are sitting at the foot of a tree, by the side of a small fire, and a younger Maori, who has apparently just sprung to his feet, stands with his rifle ready to fire as be looks intently into the gloom. He evidently expects an enemy. The light from the tire is thrown upon the faces of the Maoris, and gives a very good effect. The figures are well grouped, while the foliage and a bit of a whare are faithfully drawn and colored. The work gives a good picture of Maori life in the troublous times, not very long ago. In the same window is a view by Mr. Eustace Brandon, iu oils, of Milford Sound, looking from the Freshwater Basin up the river to a snow-clad range iu the distance. This picture shows a very marked improvement by Mr. Brandon in oil painting. Both these pictures will probably be lent to. the Working Men’s Club Exhibition Committee. On Saturday afternoon, at the invitation of his Worship the Mayor, the members of the City Council and some private citizens proceeded to Newtown to inspect a site which it is proposed to utilise as a public recreation ground.’ The proposed site is a portion of the Town Belt, comprising an area of about 40 acres, adjoining Mr. Sutherland’s property, and within a few hundred yards of the Newtown Hotel. The land is approached by a good road, and when the tramway is completed it will he readily accessible from all parts of the city, especially if the tramway be extended from the present terminus on the Adelaide-road to Newtown. The distance from the Post Office is about two miles. The site is admirably adapted for the purpose of a recreation ground, and some very charming views are obtainable from the higher portion of it. Indeed, there are probably a good many residents of the city who are unaware of what a valuable and beautiful estate is comprised in the Town Belt, of which the spot in question is one of the most desirable. It has been remarked repeatedly that Wellington is not well off in the matter of . public , recreation grounds, but if these forty acres are fenced in, planted" with trees, and laid out with taste, a very pretty domain will be placed at the disposal of the people. All who visited the ground on Saturday seemed impressed with the desirability of its ■being dedicated to the public use. A portion of it has been let on lease and cultivated ; hut it we are correctly informed, the Corporation can terminate the lease at any time. A Chinaman who has got a garden on part af the property will probably not receive this intelligence with much delight. The visitors to the ground on Saturday were most hospitably entertained by the Mayor at the Newtown Hotel, and the trip was a very pleasant one, the only drawback being that the ground was rather damp after the late heavy rains, which made walking over it less agreeable than, it otherwise would have been. It is quite capable, however, of being thoroughly well drained ; and with good gravel walks, would be a delightful promenade all the year round. Now that a start has been made, wo trust the Corporation will lose no time iu perfecting the good work of converting this portion of the Town Belt into a domain for the health and recreation of the people.

It is with much regret that we record the death of Mr. Henry Blundell, sen., which took place at Sydney on Saturday, theifith instant. The deceased was the founder of the Evening Post, and for many years, as its proprietor, conducted it with much enterprise and business ability. Some years ago the late Mr. Henry Blundell retired from active participation in the management of his journal, and visited his native country. After his' return to New Zealand he paid one or two visits to Australia, but eventually settled down in Wellington. A severe attack of illness which he experienced some months ago rendered a sea trip advisable, so he again visited Sydney. however, again recently ■ occurred, and Mr. Blundell passed away on Saturday night. The late Mr. Blundell was a kindly, genial, and generous man, who gained the liking and esteem of all those who knew him intimately, and there are not wanting persons in Wellington and New Zealand who can call to mind acts of spontaneous and generous kindness for which they have been indebted to him. We believe that the remains of the deceased will - be brought to Wellington for interment. The late Mr. Blundell was aged 65 at the time of his death.

The following letter has been Sent by Dr Hector to the Town Clerk :—“Wellington, June 14th, 1878.—T0 the Town Glerk. Sir,— I find from experiments on a small scale in the laboratory that kerosene having a flashing point of 95degs. can be rectified so as to have „he flashing point raised to llSdegs., with the loss of 6 per cent, of bulk. The temperature required in extending does not exceed 120degs., and with proper precautions the dangerous oil now imported could be converted into marketable kerosene without danger, and at a small cost. I mention this in order that attention may be called to the fact that It is not necessary to destroy those stocks of oil now on hand which do not meet the requirements of the Act.— James Hectoe.”

Commercial men will be glad to learn that two new postage stamps will be issued shortly. They are of the value of 2s. and ss. respectively, and will prove a great convenience. Both are of neat design, and the dies have been very well executed in the Government Printing Office, by Mr. Davies, the postage stamp printer, and Mr. Kirk, who has charge of the electrotyping for the Government. By a very ingenious process they used the Queen’s head on the die of the 2d. stamp as a basis for. the new dies, and have produced capital results. The color of the ss, stamps is a very pretty silver grey, and these will be ready for issue on the Ist July. There is some difficulty in selecting a tint for the 2s. stamp, as it is not easy to choose one that will make it sufficiently distinct from other stamps now in use, and its issue may be delayed in consequence. It is probable that a new penny duty stamp, about half the size of the present one, will be sold on tbo Ist proximo. Enquiries have been made lately as to the whereabouts of one William Morgan Harris, a native of Pembrokeshire, Wales, who has, it is said, come into a fortune of upwards of £30,000. The matter was recently placed in the hands of a solicitor in town, and a reward of £SOO, we hear, was offered for the discovery of the heir. He has at length been found working as a bullock driver at Mr. Booth’s mill, near Carterton, where he was known as “ Black George,” being a man of dark complexion. He is now in town, and we hear will shortly proceed to the Home country, where, on satisfactory proof being given of his identity, he will come into possession, as report has it, of the above handsome fortune. Mr. Adam Porter (says theN.Z.JSeraAZof the 12th inst.) has received aletterfrom the Under Secretary for Goldfields, stating that, if the Ohinemuri Mining Association will employ a given number of men at the rate of ss. per day upon lona fide prospecting, the Government will pay one-half of this amount from time to time, to an extent not exceeding £2OO, on the production at the Colonial Treasury of vouchers duly certified by the Warden. :

We understand that in all probability Parliament will be summoned for the despatch of business in the last week of July. The He vs. A. Beid and W. Morley returned from the Wesleyan Conference of Australasia by the steamer Wakatipu on Friday, June 7th. Out of 10,000 Tahib trout oya, sent by Mr. Thomas Bussell to Auckland, only 3000 arrived alive. The appointment of District Judge and Besident Magistrate for Wellington has, we believe, been conferred upon Mr. Mansford, B.M. at Port Chalmers. A Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition in connection with the Working Men's Club will bo opened on Monday, the Ist of July, in the club’s new premises next the Opera House, Manners-street. The Wanganui Harbor Board have accepted the tenders of Messrs. Henderson and Fergus, of Dunedin, for the three contracts for the river improvement and harbor works. Tho amount is £25,197 Us. 3d. 110,000 tons of grain have been earned on the Canterbury railways during tho present season, which is not yet over. Last year tho quantity was 85,000 tons for the whole of the season.

The Government grant of £SOO to public libraries in the provincial district of Wellington has been placed at the disposal of the Education Board for distribution. The inward San Francisco mail, which arrived on June Bth, consisted of 2915 letters, 695 books, and 9189 newspapers from Loudon ; and 250 letters, 127 books, and 580 newspapers from America. We believe it is intended to erect a new school in To Aro for the Sisters of Mercy. The present building is utterly inadequate for the requirements of the school, there being 120 children on tho roll. We hear that the hen. the Native Minister has determined to recall Mr. John Kogan to the office of Judge of the Native Landa.Court. Mr. J. A. Wilson is to be reinstated in the office of Native Lands Purchase Commissioner for the East Cape District. One of the new Yankee railway locomotives in Canterbury has been altered for the purpose of utilising the coal mined in the district, which the driver says answers better than Newcastle. The body of the late George H. Holmes, son of Mr. 6. Holmes, contractor for the first railway in. Canterbury, arrived out safe by the San Francisco mail, for interment in the family vault at Biccarton. Mr. Holmes died in New York.

The annual report of the Education Board of Otago has been published. It shows that there were 173 public schools in this district in 1877, and that the average attendance was 11,749. The education reserves yielded.»£s263 last year. On the 11th June the Chancellor of the New Zealand University publicly presented diplomas of the B.A. degree to A. C. Newton and H. TTill, the first successful candidates in Canterbury. Congratulatory speeches were made by several members of the Board of Governors of the University. At the request of German residents in Wellington, Mr. F. A. Krull, Consul for Germany, will write to the Emperor William a letter expressing sympathy with him in relation to the recent attempt to assassinate him, and a hope that Ms complete recovery may be rapid. Another cargo of West Wanganui coal arrived in harbor on June 11, by the schooner Elizabeth Curie. Captain Johnston speaks in the highest praise of the entrance to the Wanganui harbor. He took soundings on the bar at dead low water, and found 15ft. This depth would be sufficient to allow far larger vessels than the Elizabeth Curie to leave, loaded, with the greatest safety. At a meeting of the committee of the Wellington Horticultural Society, held on June 7th, it was decided to hold three exhibitions during the next twelve months—in November, January, and March. Messrs. H. H. Travers, Bocher, M. Bead, and McKay were appointed a sub-committee to draw up a schedule of prizes for the next show, and this will be published in a few weeks. A sub-committee to canvass for special prizes was appointed, Captain Johnson and Messrs. H. H. Travers and McNab being placed upon it. The enterprising merchants and traders of Wellington appear alive to the advantages to be derived from utilising the telephone in connection with their business. We lately chronicled the fact of Mr. E. W. Mills having established telephonic communication between Ms several establishments, and recently we noticed that the example had been followed by Mr. L. T. Bowden, who has connected his retail premises in the Athemeum Buildings with his store in Brandon-street, The work, which was executed by Mr. J. E. Hayes, of Lambtonquay, was recently examined by Dr. Lemon, who suggested some slight improvements, and these being made, everything works most satisfactorily. Mr. Bowden invites all who wish to inspect the working of this great wonder of modern science to call at his establishment.

Mr. John Bryce, who for a considerable time was on the commercial staff o£ this office, died at an early hour on the morning of June 13 of consumption. At the latter part of 1877 he was advised to take a sea voyage, in the hope that it would improve his health, and he was a passenger by the May to Hongkong. The trip appeared to benefit him considerably, but while at Singapore, on the return voyage, he became very weak, and never rallied after that. When the May arrived in this port his condition was extremely critical, and his strength gradually grew less. He had made very many friends in Wellington, who deeply lamented his Illness and his death at so early an age. Speaking for the management of this company, it may be said that Mr. Bryce always zealously and honorably studied the interests of the office, and when his health compelled him to sever his connection with it, his leaving was greatly regretted. The Nem Zealand Herald says in reference to the Thames Pumping Association : “ Messrs. Black, Hicks, and Hall, appointed to examine the country through which driving had been carried in the deep levels of the Pumping Association’s shaft by the County Council, have made a report, in which they state ‘We are decidedly of opinion that the cross-cut, as it makes south, gets into a better class of country for auriferous quartz, and upon that account, and also being aware of the rich reefs that have been worked towards the south in the several claims—viz., the Prince Imperial, Crown Princess, and Waic-Karaka mines, we would strongly recommend the extension of the south cross-cut, as we firmly believe that if the main cross-cut is continued ahead gold will be found in the deep ground of the above companies’ mines. In conclusion, we are of opinion that if the same energy had been displayed by the several companies adjacent to the south cross-cut as the Kurunui and Imperial Crown have done north, by this time a great portion of the auriferous country towards the east would have been explored, and in all likelihood payable gold would before now have been obtained.’ ”

The schooner Shepherdess arrived in harbor on Thursday, May 30, with a full cargo of coal from the West Wanganui coalfield. The following Is an analysis of the coal tested by Mr, Kruse, of Melbourne, as compared with the best Newcaale coal Combustible gases: West Wanganui, 41*55 J Newcastle, 29*20. Sulphur : Wanganui, 1*05; Newcastle, 5*20. Coke : Wanganui, 51*25 ; Newcastle, 68.80. Ashes : Wanganui, 3*15 ; Newcastle, 6*Bo. Specific Gravity: Wanganui, 1*24 ; Newcastle, 1*34. Several masters and engineers of steamers speak most favorably of the coal, and assert that it gives great heat and flame, with very little clinker, and very well adapted for steam purposes. The cargo which arrived yesterday was bought by Mr. B. W. Mills, where it can be purchased at £2 2s, per ton. A large quantity of it has already been ordered. The company are desirous of obtaining reports of the quab'ty of the coal from those who use it. The men at work at the quarry beyond Oriental Bay on May 30th found buried some distance in the hill a cannon ball. Various suggestions were made during the day as to how it got there. One theory which was started was that this ball is a memento of Captain Cook’s first visit; but unfortunately for the supporters of this view of the matter Captain Cook did not enter Wellington harbor, although he passed through the Strait close at hand which bears his name. Another supposition, equally untenable, was that it legacy of a former war with the Maoris, A third, and probably the correct version of the matter, is that some years ago, when there were no houses in the locality, which was then in its primitive state of bush, the mon-of-war men, who occasionally visited this port, used to fire into the hill in question when practising with shot and shell, and that this is one of the identical missiles, Mr. Cary, the manager of the exhibition which is being got up in connection with the Working Men’s Club, intends, if ho can obtain possession of it, to exhibit it amongst other curiosities. The body of the man recently found drowned near the mouth of the Otaki Hirer baa been found and identified aa that of Mr. Prouse, of Wainuiomata. * At the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Hoanitairi; Goldmining Company (Thames district) the report stated that the sum* of (838,083 had been distributed in dividends,

The inward Suez mail, which arrived in port f by the s.s. Arawata, nine days in advance ‘of contract date, consisted of 415 letters, 118 1 book packets, and 689 newspapers, via Brin- % disi; and 326 letters, 133 book packets, and t, 1743 newspapers, via Southampton. This mail reached New Zealand in forty-three days 1 from London, one of. the fastest times yet recorded. 1 A meeting of the Wellington Bowing Club a was held at the Pier Hotel oa June 3rd, when, , after the usual club business was transacted, a resolution was proposed and carried that the i club be wound up, and the plant sold by I tender. 3 A tea meeting was held at Taita on Friday, , May 24th, in connection with tho Wesleyan Church, which was numerously attended by [ residents in the locality and visitors from town, who greatly enjoyed themselves at this plea- . sant social gathering. ; The first of a series of weekly prayer-meet-ings was held on Saturday night, May 25, in the rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association. Mr. Holdsworth conducted the meeting, in the absence of the president, Mr. Kirk, tho Evangelistic choir assisting in the service of song. Divine service was held on Sunday, May 26th, on board tho ship Chasoa, in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association; Mr. Holdsworth presiding. Short addresses were delivered by the Bev. James Paterson and Messrs. S. Costal! and David Hall. The singing was conducted by the Evangelistic choir. The attendance was nearly double that of the previous Sunday. It is satisfactory to know that the Government has taken steps to provide a new CourtHouse for this city. Plans are being prepared for a Supreme Court, which will be erected on the reclaimed land, but the exact site has not yet been determined ; however, the building will probably be completed in six months. The ground upon which the present Supreme Court House and offices stand will be sold by public auction. Dr. Kemp has been appointed medical referee to the Australian Mutual Provident Society. The office is one of very considerable importance, as all lives proposed in the colony have to be passed by the referee here, who reviews the reports of the local medical officers. The business of the society in this colony being a very large one, a great number of lives undergo critical examination at the head office. Dr. Johnston has hitherto held the appointment, but as he also occupied a like position with respect to the Government Insurance Department it was deemed well that he should give up one, and he elected to continue to advise the insurance and annuities department. The board have made a very good choice indeed in appointing Dr. Johnston’s successor. ■ A meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was.held bn Wednesday, June sth. Mr. Krull in the chair, when it was resolved that the quarterly general meeting of the : Chamber should be held on the 26th instant. A letter was read from the Public Works De- 1 partment, in reply to one from the secretary J of the Chamber asking if the Government had ] arrived at any decision on the subject of the I reclamation and wharf accommodation. The 1 reply stated that the Government was not at i present in a position to deal definitely with the ( matter, as the work of .reclamation now going ( on was not out of the contractor’s hands. lu ’ reply to a communication as to the removal of 1 the powder magazine. It was stated that the < question would receive the attention of the ( Government. ] A meeting of the provisional directors of the West Wanganui Coal Company was held at i Mr. Wright’s office on June 3rd; Mr. A. de B. ] Brandon in the chair. It was stated that a 3 considerable number of shares had been taken t up, several people taking 100 each. With the ; view of having the stock as widely distributed (

as possible throughout the, colony, so as to i secure a general interest or the success of the : company, it was resolved to appoint agents for i the sale of shares at Nelson, Wanganui, Eox- ' ton, Taranaki, Auckland, Napier, Christ- I church, Timaru, Oomaru, Dunedin, and Inver- 1 cargill. Samples of the seam now opened 1 will be sens to the agent. It was stated that the cargo ex Shepherdess had all been readily 1 taken, and there were orders which would be i supplied on the arrival of the Elizabeth Curie, i now due, with over 100 tons. Some persons I who have tested the coal speak highly of it 1 for domestic purposes, reporting that it is i clean, burns brightly, and throws out a strong ; heat. The annual general meeting of the proprietary members of the Wellington Club took 1 place on Wednesday evening, May 29, at the ] Club House, Wellington Terrace. Statements of receipts and expenditure, balance-sheet, and j profit and loss account for the year ending 30th ■ April, 1878, were laid on the table, and the 1 financial position of the Club was explained i by the president, George Hunter, M.H.R., I moving that the accounts be adopted. 1 The receipts amounted to £14,154 16s. lid.; 1 the expenditure to £14,130 13s. The sum ex- ( pended for land, buildings, improvements, ] furniture, gas fittings, &c., amounted to ( £13,152 14s. 9d. ; the assets stand at i £15,792 19s. sd. ; the liabilities at £13,791 1 4s. 2d. ; balance at the credit of profit and ( loss account, £2OOI 15s. 3d.; estimating i the value of the land at the cost price, i of course it is worth far more than ] £I4OO. The accounts were passed and adopted, i The members then proceeded to elect by ballot : seven members, to be associated with the trus- s tees in the management of the Club for the ( ensuing year, and the choice fell upon Dr. ( Hector, W. H. Levin, T. G. Allan, Dr. New- ] man, Thomas Buchanan, H. D. Bell, and John i Sawyers. J. H. Bethune and F. Allan were ( elected to act as auditors. A resolution was 1 passed authorising the committee to take i stejja to enclose and plant the land in front > and rear of the Club. It was reported that debentures to the amount of over £2OOO have i been applied for, and that the call of £lO ( recently made had been paid by a large num- i ber of members, the meeting closed by passing I a vote of thanks to the chairman. We have i been informed that since the annual meeting ' the members of the Club have sent an invita- i tion to the president, inviting that gentleman i to dine with them; that the invitation has been i accepted, and the day fixed for the entertainment is Tuesday next, the 11th June. A New Zealand Gazette of Saturday, June 1, contains notice of the following appointments : : —Mr. Henry Wcstcott Climie to bo an as- . sistant surveyor in the Surveyor-General’s Department; the appointment dates from the Ist April last. Mr. Thomas Humphries, the cMef surveyor of Taranaki, as the surveyor to approve of the plans of towns prior to their sale, showing the reserves required by the Plans of Towns Eegulations Act. Mr. William Good Hayward to be an assistant surveyor in the Surveyor-General’s Department ; the appointment to date from the 6th February last. Mr. John Menzies to. bo chief clerk in the Commissioner of Bail ways’ Office, Christchurch. Mr. Frederick Back to be general manager of the Christchurch section, New Zealand Railways. , Mr. William Mowatt Hannay to be assistant traffic manager at Christchurch. Messrs. John Gillespie, John Purcell, Thomas Price, and James Ceotes, are appointed rangers under the Protection to Animals Act, 1873, within the provincial district of Wellington. J. G. Holdsworth, J.P., is gazetted a member of the Licensing Bench for the district of Wellington, &c., vice D. Lewis, Esq., J.P., resigned. The return of Richard Harman Jeffares Reeves, as a member of the House of Representatives for the electoral district of Grey Valley, is officially notified. Certain Trustees under the Maori Real Estate Management Act, 1867, are appointed; and notice is given of the bringing into force of the Auckland Dog Nuisance Act, 1854, at Hokianga, Whakatane, &c. An order in Council directs that the Native Lands Court is to ascertain the shares of certain natives of the Ngatiraukawa tribe interested in the Himatangi Block.

The suggestion made by the Thames Borough Council that a conference should ho held in Wellington before the next session of Parliament, to be attended by delegates from the municipalities throughout the colony, appears likely to bo generally adopted. The conference will probably assemble hero in the first week of July, and the Mayor has been requested to make arrangements for the meeting. One of the first things to be done will be to decide whether a permanent league should bo formed to watch over the interests of municipalities. A confirmation service was held at the Church of England, Karori, on Sunday, June 2, at which six young persons—two young ladies and four young men—received the sacred rite at the hands of the Right Rev. Bishop Hadfield, who delivered an appropriate address on the occasion. The assisting minister was the Rev. W. Ballachey, the Incumbent of the parish. The church was crowded, and amongst those present were several visitors from town. The erection of a now Roman Catholic Cathedral is about to be commenced in Dunedin. It will cost £26,000, and hold 2000 people when finished. It is proposed to erect only nave and aisles at present. Tho cost of this will be £6OOO, and will accommodate eight hundred people,

£14,000 worth of grass seed has been exported from Taranaki this season. It is rumored that valuable hot springs have been discovered at the foot of Peninsula Hill in the Ellesmere District, Canterbury.

j The Napier Yefcyrap/r of the sth May s says that subscriptions are being raised for the i erection of a new church at Kaikorai. The Tramway Company have ordered from i England another hundred tons of rails, for the , extension of the tramway to Newtown, , The new Besident Magistrate’s Court for i the Lower Hutt, which is being erected contiguous to the railway station, is fast approaching completion. Colonel Brett's station, Mount Torlcsse, Canterbury, sold for £II,OOO. It comprised 21,000 acres leasehold, 530 pre-emptive right, 800 freehold, 10,000 sheep, house and station buildings. Messrs. Baguall Brothers, who have a lease of the Hauraki saw-mills, Thames Biver, have turned out during a twelve-month no less than two aud a quarter million feet of sawn kabikatea. The Auckland Harbor Board have appointed the Bank of New Zealand agents for raising a £200,000 loan, aud debentures to that amount were lodged with the bank on May 31st for sale in Loudon. Tho Auckland Education Board have resolved to grant pound fer pound to all libraries coming within the meaning of the Act. The Auckland Institute receives £285 ; the Mechanics’ Institute, £175. Sixty country libraries will receive aid. Tlie Board of Governors of the Canterbury College have resolved to establish five open scholarships connected with the Girls’ High School, which is making very satisfactory progress. It is also proposed to establish twelve scholarships in connection with the Agricrrltural College. Mr. W. J. Young, 8.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, second master of Horton College, Tasmania, has been appointed English master of Auckland College; and Mr. A. De L. Hammond, of Christ’s College, Cambridge, assistant' master of Sydney Grammar School, has been appointed to the lower school. There were many applicants from the South. The Governor on his visit to Christchurch on May 31st, was received by the Mayor and Councillors of Christchurch and Sydenham, and by other leading citizens, A guard of honor was formed by the City Guards and Engineers, and an escort by tho Yeomanry Cavalry. The Mayor of Christchurch tendered a formal welcome to his Excellency, who acknowledged the compliment, and then drove to the Club. From Maketu we hear that a party of natives from Botorua went there on Wednesday, June sth, and haying quietly occupied an old redoubt commanding the settlement, performed a war dance on the parapet and discharged a volley of blank cartridge. The Europeans treat the event with great composure, believing the demonstration to be a device of the Arawa to frighten the Ngatipukis and other hapus from going on with the Court now being held there under Judge Heale. The Ngatipukis do not intend to take any action against these disturbers of the peace, knowing that they could, if they choose, speedily wipe them out. They have left the matter for the authorities to settle, and intend proceeding quietly with their claims before the Court. These Botorua men have no interest in the lands under- revision ; but they rely on the old flour and sugar policy being exercised on their behalf —a remote contingency everybody hopes. Mr. Sheehan had a long interview with the natives at Kaiapoi on May 31. A petition was presented setting forth the grievances of the Middle Island natives respecting the land purchases by Messrs. Mantell, Kemp, Symonds, and Wakefield, in 1848-53._ The principal complaints were that the natives had been deceived, that they had not received all the money for the land sold, and that the boundaries fixed by the Europeans included land which had never been sold. They prayed the Government to look into the matter, and said that if it were not settled the natives would have to apply to the Queen. Mr. Taiaroa, M.H.8., advocated the native claims. Mr. Sheehan, in reply, said that if the natives were agreeable the Government would appoint a commission, composed of people having no interest in the Middle Island, to inquire into the whole matter. He also promised that a sitting of the Native Lands Court should be held at Christchurch at an early date.

There has been a good deal of excitement in Napier lately about the supposed presence in the district of the murderer Sullivan. The sus • pected man, however, is William Marshall, who came to the colony as a Feilding immigrant in 1874. His resemblance to Sullivan, which is very strong, caused him to be hunted from the West Coast, and he made his way over to this side. Ho was working lately at a farm owned by a person named Boyle, who told him that it was said of him (Boyle) that he was employing the murderer Sullivan, and so Marshall had better go to Napier to the Inspector of Police, and have the matter cleared up. He came, into town yesterday with his wife and daughter. The lodginghouse keeper turned them out into the street, as the other boarders complained of having a murderer in the house with them. To-day he was taken up to the gaol, and was shown to a prisoner, who alleges that he knew Sullivan well, but this is not the man. Marshall is apparently a simple, inoffensive fellow, and speaks of Ms persecution very mildly, but is evidently overborne with grief, and wants the Government to send him out of the colony. He is taller than Sullivan is said to be, but resembles him a good deal, judging by the photograph of that criminal. He fears that his life is not safe, as some people insist upon it that he is Sullivan, and have threatened him with violence.

The Canterbury Tims says “We are in a position to state that the Government has ordered the whole of the heavy guns recommended by the Imperial Commission, and these, together with the nepessary ammunition, are now on their way out. Regarding small arms, we have authority for stating that the Government has in stock 5000 Sniders of the ordinary and 2000 of the shorter pattern, which, with another thousand of the former now ordered, will soon give the colony a total of 8000 Snider rifles. For these there are in stock 2,000,000 rounds of ball cartridges for the ordinary rifles, and a larger proportion for the carbines. Some of this stock only recently arrived, having been ordered by the Government shortly after taking office. In addition to the Sniders the Government can muster 13,000 Enfield rifles and a large quantity of suitable ammunition, making a total of 21,000 rifles at their disposal. The Government have under their consideration a plan of torpedo defence, which will probably be undertaken. The intention of Go* vernment is, should war be declared, to bring down a few Armed Constabulary men to each port as a nucleus of a force of artillery, also to place the naval and artillery volunteers on a satisfactory footing, and to consider the question of enrolling the militia. Probably, with the advice of Parliament, the militia will be called out. It will be interesting to know that the commission of officers that reported on the defence of New Zealand had the advantage of the latest charts of the colony, and obtained full information from officers, some of them scientific, of both services, who know the localities. They also had before them the report of Colonel Mould, R.E., made after the inspection of the harbors, and the confidential report made by Sir Wm. Jervois some few years ago, which has been practically adopted by the committee.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held on June 10. The Chairman congratulated the members on the success of trading operations in Dunedin. Although the retrospect was not perfectly unclouded, there were many matters for thankfulness, and had the trunk railway been completed with the promptitude people had a right to expect, his congratulations on the state of trade might have been more hearty. The success which attended the working of railways, even without through traffic, was reasuring, and they might feel certain now that the system of public works and emigration would be of immense advantage to the country. The laboring classes never had been more fully employed, and wages were as high as ever. He then made pointed reference to the want of interest taken in the Chamber of Commerce by the community. The Secretary stated that the expenditure for the year exceeded the receipts by £63 7s. F. S. Graham (Bing, Harris, and Co.) was elected Chairman for the ensuing year ; and the committee was instructed to take into consideration the question of a railway goods station. It was also decided that steps should be taken to establish a weekly market in Dunedin for the sale of country produce. From the statistics presented it appeared that the imports for the year ending March last exceeded those of the previous year by £611,789, and that the Customs revenue for the same period had exceeded that of the previous year by £3300. The Canterbury Times gives particulars of a series of hot springs discovered on the Ahuriri estate, Banks Peninsula. It says that at one place the temperature of water is over 80 degrees. Several samples of the water have 1 been sent to Professor Bickerton for analysis,

The Wanganui Steeplechases, the Christchurchs'Steeplechase, and the Dunedin Races came off on the Queen’s Birthday. The foundation of the new Town Hall and Volunteer Hall was laid in Dunedin on Friday, the 24th .May, by the Mayor. Mr. Gilligan, of Wellington, has purchased Delamain’s training establishment at Yaldhurst, Canterbury, and purposes engaging Ashcroft, of Sydney, as his trainer. A. Waterloo veteran is in Auckland en-

gaged in collecting bones, bottles, &c. He lost bis pension some years ago, and is supplied with rations by Government. A man named Walker picked up a_ bottle near Brighton Beach, Canterbury, containing a paper with the following writing : —“ Church, Canterbury, New Zealand. Ship Lurliue wrecked; all hands lost. Captain 0. H.” The Otago run in the Waimate District, comprising 17,000 acres freehold, 20,000 acres leasehold, and 24,000 sheep, has been purchased at auction by Mr. Thomas Teschemaker for £191,000. The Customs revenue collected at Christchurch last mouth was £19,059, and for the corresponding mouth of last year £14,874. The land sales last month realised £98,534. The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association have adopted the proposal of the Oamaru Association, and have resolved^ to form a great, national association, embracing the whole of the Middle Island. Cresswell, the lunatic confined in the Paramatta Asylum, has been identified by Mrs. Hay, of \tfaverly, N.Z. He also recognised the photo of his sister, Mrs. Gough. Arthur Orton was tattoed on the arms, and Cresswell is not. Creswell did not know his reputed sister, Mrs. Jury (one of the Orton family). Xu the cases held at the late Divorce Court, shocking cases of depravity were revealed, calling forth strong animadversions from the Judges on the bench. The Attorney-General has given instructions that in future all Crown cases reserved shall be reported at the Solicitor-General’s office, so that the Crown may be represented in the Appeal Court. The Southland Times states that the youth known as the 11 Australian Blondin ’’ has taken up his residence in the Waikiwi Bush, where he has been practising very hard since his last appearance in public, with a view to future performances. The Auckland papers record a fact creditable to the local industry of the place. Mr. 11. Dickson, requiring a travelling jib crane, to be used in building the breakwater at Patea, sent to Melbourne, and was informed that the cost would be £460, and eight weeks would be required to complete it. Messrs. Fraser and Tinne, of this city, have undertaken the same work for £3OO. The North Otago Times says:—A large shag was shot by Mr, William tire last Tuesday as it was fishing in the Otepopo Fiver. Upon opening its stomach, no fewer than twenty fine young brown trout were found in that dismal sepulchre. We need hardly point out that if our streams are to be stocked with trout, the shags must be destroyed ; and we call on all sportsmen to lend our Acclimatisation Society a helping hand in this matter, j There is considerable difference (says the Auckland Weekly Nevis) in the estimates made as to the amount of land on the left banks of the Waipa and Waikato rivers which Sir George Grey has promised to return to Tawhiao. The estimates range from 60,000 acres to 100,000 acres, the latter figure being probably nearest the mark. Taking the value of this at 10s. per acre, the money’s worth is £50,000. | The Mount Ida Pastoral Investment Company (limited) held their fourth annual meeting lately, and the report then read “showed that the profits for the year amounted to £5112 14s. 6d. It was then resolved 10 per cent., amounting to £3184, be paid as a dividend, the balance, £1928, to be carried forward to meet liabilities. A good deal of money had been besides paid away on solid improvements, and also on the purchase of young stock.” The company seems to be in a very flourishing condition. . ’ ' J

It is believed that the old wreck which lies in Dusky Sound (Otago) is that of the ship Endeavor, of 800 tons, which left Port Jackson for India, in Sept., 1795. Mr. Bampton abandoned the ship there owing to her leaky condition, aud he, with those on board, managed to reach Norfolk Island. It is extremely probable, says the Australian Shipping News, that the wreck now in Dusky Sound is that of the Endeavor, which was abandoned there in 1795 —eighty-three years ago; and assuming it to be correct that the woodwork comprised both teak and English oak, it would be an excellent test of the comparative durability of these woods under equal conditions. The Hawke's Bay Herald of May 25th a3 ,ya ; —The aged chief Te Hapuku, who has been ailing for a considerable time past, died at his pa last Thursday evening, at 6 o’clock. The Rev. Samuel Williams was with him, and administered the consolation of religion, the natives joining iu the responses with great fervor. After the body had been washed and laid out, the tangi commenced; Some natives who were in the train to town last evening were waving black flags all the way down from the late chief’s pa. Te Hnpuku was one of the oldest and best known chiefs in the district, and exercised considerable influence over his tribe. , ■

The Auckland Evening Star, speaking of the prospects of . the present season as regards pheasant shooting, says :—“The pheasants are in fine condition and plentiful, but most numerous in localities too far distant for the majority of sportsmen resident near town to follow them. The birds adhere very affectionately to Maori cultivations, and to new clearings back in the bush, where small settlers who depend largely upon their crops of maize, wheat, and potatoes, suffer acutely from the ravages of the pheasants, who find abundance of food and convenient shelter. The Waikato will no doubt be largely patronised as usual by Auckland sportsmen this season.” Our own correspondent, writing from Halcombe under date May 25tb, says : —I notice in your advertising columns Mr. Halcombe, the agent of the Emigrants and Colonists Aid Corporation, invites bushmen and laborers to come up here and settle on this 1 part of the Manchester Block. It will not be out of place to endeavor to give a few and perhaps useful, items of information to those whose minds are probably wavering about this new venture. Bush falling, road making, fencing, and other kinds of skilled and unskilled’ labor—for these there exists a steady demand,, while the cost of living, taken all through, is lower than in Wellington or other cities. Most of the necessaries of life are not much higher than in Wellington. Meat is cheaper, as also is rent ; fuel, of course, is easily procurable, A steady family man, with a wife who is a good working member of the family, might do well up here ; and if there be daughters fit for domestic- service, "wages varying from 15s. to 20s. per week might be obtained. The wife could also contribute to the saving fund by washing or sewing. Attached to each cottage is an acre of land, and where the tenants are industrious people, sufficient and to spare of potatoes and vegetables generally can be grown ; in fact, the cottages without the adjunct of a garden have not a very inviting aspect, looking sombre and cheerless. Te Ngakau has been going round the Waikato townships examining what allotments belong to Government, in view of Sir George Grey's proposals to give the town lota to the Kingites. Tawhiao is visiting Raglan. This is the first time he has visited a European township since the war. Subscriptions have been collected in Christchurch to telegraph to the Australian Cricketers congratulating them on their success against English teams, and suggesting that if the Australians have any desire to have their revenge on Canterbury, they can return by the San Francisco route, and call at Christchurch, when a match will be arranged for them. The sale of a block of 200,000 acres of land beyond the confiscated boundary and between the Waitotara and Whenuakura rivers was negotiated by Mr. Williams for Mr. William Gowern, of Carlyle, on June 10. The Ngaraura tribe are the sellers. The present purchaser has given Government the refusal of the land. The natives desire that the transaction shall be known all over the colony. Large reserves I will be set aside, and the bulk of the land will | eventually be out up for small farms ; but it must first go through the Court. A well attended meeting of the Wellington Typographical Association was held at the Athensoum on Saturday, June Bth, Mr. Keogh in the chair. The funds of the society were stated to be in a very satisfactory condition, there being a considerable balance on the credit side. , The following were elected officebearers for the ensuing six months -.—President, Mr. Keogh ; vice-president, Mr. Langley ; secretary, Mr, J. Grant; treasurer, Mr. J. Innes ; trustees, Messrs. E. Bannister and J. Everett.; auditors, Messrs. G. Tattle and A. Gallagher. Messrs. Thelwall and Co. shipped from their boiling-down establishment at Poverty Bay last week, 61 casks of tallow, equal to about 20 tons, the value of which was £7OO. This is not a bad start lor the new firm. The tallow was consigned to Auckland, for shipment to England,

Captain Maling and family left Wellington i for Lyttelton on May 30th in the Hinemoa en route for'England. Seventy-six births, thirty-four marriages and twenty-six deaths were registered in Wellington during the month of May. The vital statistics of Dunedin for May were as follows :—Births, 155 ; deaths, 33; marriages, 37. Mr. Donald Reid has forwarded to the Speaker his resignation as a member of the House of Representatives for Taieri. It is. stated by a West Coast paper that the contributions given to Father Hennebery while in the Inangahua district amounted to close on £I3OO. He intends visiting the district again. The following is a return of patients in the Provincial Hospital during and ending the month of May, 1878 : -Admitted—Males, 18; females, 3. Discharged—Males, 15; females, 5. Died—Males, 3; females, 1. Loft in Hospital—Males, 44; females. 8. Total, 52. Mr. Batkin, the Receiver-General, acknowledges in a Gazette of June Ist the receipt on the 4th ult. of an envelope posted in Sydney, addressed to the Collector of Customs, at Auckland, and containing two £1 notes of the Oriental Bank, Sydney, with a slip attached bearing the words “ conscience money.” The Speaker of the House of Representatives notifies in a Gazette, issued on June 6th, that W. J. M. Larnach, Esq, has resigned his seat for the Electoral District of Dunedin City, and that his telegram of resignation was received on the 31st day of May, 1878 ; and that the said seat is vacant by reason of such resignation. We understand that the Bills embodying the policy of the Government will not be circulated before the. meeting of Parliament. It had been reported that some of them would have been distributed, so that their provisions might become generally known, but this will not be so. The Native Lands Bill will be an exception, and it will be printed in and circulated for the information of the natives. Magnificent prospects continue to be reported from the Wetherstone cement, Otago. The original prospectors, Brown and Gascoigne, have dropped across a rich lead, which turns out i-dwt. of gold to the dish. Between fifty and sixty acres of ground have_ already been pegged off, and great interest is manifested in several of the claims. Large suras have been refused for a small interest in a claim. New Zealand is a country so well adapted to the growth of fruit that it is a matter of surprise to many that so much money should be sent out of the colony for jam and preserved fruits. A new company, entitled “ The Nelson Jam and Fruit Preserving Company,” is about to be started at Nelson, with a capital of £SOOO, in 5000 shares of £1 each. The Company has apparently an excellent prospect before it, and if it succeeds, as it ought to do, in producing a first-rate article, and there is plenty of the raw material in Nelson, at less price than is paid for imported jams aud preserves, the undertaking will in all probability be a most lucrative and successful affair. The thirty-sixth annual meeting of the Wellington Athenseum was held on Friday, the 31st ult. About 100 subscribers were present. Mr. J. Woodward occupied the chair. The annual report was read and adopted. The revenue for the past year was £759 Bs. Id., as against £565 15s. 6d. the previous year; 650 volumes had been added since last report, and the subscribers numbered 722. The following gentlemen were elected officers of the institution, viz.:—President, Sir W. Fitzherbert ; vice-presidents, Mr. G. Hunter, M.H.R., Mr. W. Lyons, and Mr. J. Woodward ; treasurer, Mr. T. K. Macdonald; secretary, Mr. H. Logan; committee, Messrs. George Allen, Henry Barber, William Hutchison, R. S. Ledger, O. S. Richardson, Edward Stafford, J. M. Taylor, and Dr. Newman. Thanks were returned for donations of books received from the following gentlemen, viz. :—Messrs. Luby, Wakelin, Marks, Williams, Scott, Clere, and Rees. The annual meeting of the Wellington Fire Brigade was held on Monday, the 3rd J une, at the station, Manners-street, Superintendent Whiteford in the chair. There was a large attendance present, including a number of gentlemen representing the various insurance oompanies. The treasurer read the balancesheets of the Building Fund and General Fund. The Member’s Fund balance at the Post Office Savings Bank was £B6 15s. 4d. The annual report was then read, detailing the fires that had occurred during the past year, giving various suggestions as to future arrangements, conducive to the public interests, and returning thanks to the insurance companies for the aid received, and also to the proprietors of the different newspapers for supplying gratis issues of their respective journals during the year. Mr. Whiteford then left the chair, and Mr. Hunter was requested to act as chairman during the election of officers, who were unanimously chosen as follows :—Superintendent, Mr. Whiteford; captain No 1 company, Mr. Thomas Wilson; captain No. 2 company, Mr. Hutchens; lieutenant No. 1 company, Mr. Thomas Tolley; lieutenant No. 2 company, Mr. Ranson ; lion, treasurer, Mr. T. H. Maoauley ; hon see., Mr. J. A. Kennedy. Superintendent Whiteford then presented good conduct stripes to Mr. Lawrence, No. 1 company, and Mr. Ranson, No, 2 company. Messrs. Darroch and Emeny were appointed committeemen for No. 1 company, aud Messrs. Pilcher and Tolley for No. 2 company. Mr. Simpson, on behalf of the insurance companies, expressed his pleasure at the satisfactory state of the brigade. We had an opportunity last week of inspecting several photographs of buildings erected by Mr. George Hunter on his station at Porangahau. Amongst the number there is one of a very pretty neat little church, put up by that gentleman in close proximity to his homestead. This is not, however, the first time that such a good example has been set. Several years ago, Mr. Charles Nairn built a very beautiful little church near his homestead, and the resident clergyman in the district, the Rev. Simcox, goes every fortnight to Pourero for the purpose of holding morning, and sometimes evening, service. It may not be out of place to mention that, wheA Mr. Nairn was so fortunate—thanks to the kindly feeling entertained towards him by his fellow settlers—as to obtain 20,000 acres of freehold land at the upset price of ss. per acre, as no person opposed him at the auction sale, he, as a thank offering, determined to give £SOO per annum during his lifetime for the purpose of maintaining a clergyman of the Church of England, the sum to bo increased to £IOOO after his death. His liberality enabled arrangements to be made, aud Mr. Simcox was induced to come out to Now Zealand, and this gentleman has since officiated in the district. At present there is no regular church at the village of Porangahau; there is only a building which is used for the purpose of public worship on Sunday by the clergyman of any denomination who happens to be at Porangahau. During the week the building is used as a schoolroom. Attempts are being made to raise subscriptions to build a church by the members of the Church of England, and also by the Presbyterian body; and it is to be hoped that in a short time one or more churches will be erected in a locality where they are much wanted. There is a neat little parsonage at Porangahau, which was put up shortly after Mr. Simcox arrived in the colony. There was some difficulty in procuring a suitable site. Mr. Hunter in the first instance offered 25 acres of his land, but it was too far distant from the village. A block of 22 acres was purchased from Mr. White, a portion of a suburban section, at the rate of £lO per acre, Mr. Hunter paying for it. The sailing race between the open boats Violet and Pet, for £2O a side, which was postponed on Friday in consequence of the light wind, came off on May 25, and resulted in an easy victory for the Violet. At about twenty minutes past 1 p.m. the race commenced. A bad start having been effected through the Violet getting on the wrong tack, before she could come back to the course again the Pet had a lead of about 300 yards. However, they had not proceeded far when it was quite evident that tho Violet was rapidly gaining on her opponent, aud when they had got about a mile down the bay Mr. Duder's boat took the lead, and very soon loft the Pet a long way astern. When they came round the course the first time the Violet was 3min. and 33seo. a-heatl, and when the race concluded she was nearly five minutes ahead. The course over which tho boats ran was twice round from the wharf to Halswell Point, thence to the barque Camille anchored off Kaiwarra, and from there bent up to the wharf. The wind during the race was blowing a nice breeze from the S.E., which evidently ; suited both boats, for they went over the course at a good pace, tho winner doing the distance in 2 hours and 10 minutes. One noticeable feature during the race was the excellent manner in which the Violet was ; sailed, and this was particularly noticeable in ■ working to windward. i A private telegram received on May 27 states , that the Wakatipu, which arrived in Sydney i on Saturday previous, made the run over from . Wellington in four days seven hours,' being one of the fastest passages on record.

The trout in Lovell’s Creek, Otago, have begun to spawn. The balance-sheet of the Waimate County Council, presented at a meeting recently, showed a credit of £47,050 12s. Bd. At a special meeting of the City Council, held on Thursday, June 6, Councillor Diver’s motion for the adoption of Mr. Clark’s drainage scheme was carried. The following figures show how rapidly the price of land has increased in Manners-street latelyln September last Mr. Madden bought 62ft. 6in. frontage at £32 10s. per foot, and on Tuesday he completed a sale of the lot at £6O a foot, an increase of £27 10s. per foot in eight months.

Mr, Nathaniel Valentine, of the Lower Hutt, recently erected on his premises, at the rear of the hotel, a novel kind of apparatus for drying clothes. The machine is rigged_ with sails at top, and when the day’s washing is adjusted the sails are set, and the whole thing whirls round with such velocity that the clothes are perfectly dried in an incredibly short space of time. Doherty aud party have returned to Dunedin from Dusky Sound by the s.s. Maori, bringing two tons of specimens from the copper lode there. They broke some 12ft. into the crown of the lode, and report the prospects to be exceedingly favorable. The specimens they have brought are very rich in the more valuable copper ore, with indications also of native copper. The Dunedin Herald commenting on the trial of Whitaker v. Jones, says that the costs of the prosecution will be considerably under £2OO, while that of the defence, according to bill of costs recently delivered, will amount to £2117 14s. Among the items composing the bill are the folio wing Paid Mr. Rees, £540 ; paid Mr. Rees (refresher), £275 ; paid Mr. Hislop, £270 ; refresher to Mr. Hislop, £137 10s. It is stated that other similar items could be culled from the bill of costs presented by Rees and Hislop. The Press of the 28th May says :—Another of our old colonists, one who has been identified with Christchurch almost since the earliest days, has passed away, in the person of Mr. W. Hobbs, sen., who died on Sunday evening somewhat suddenly from effusion of the brain. Mr. Hobbs, though not taking any active part in public matters, was very highly respected in private life as an energetic man of business and a good citizen. A parcel of iron sand from Taranaki is to be sent to England for Sir John Coode, who intends to have experiments made to test its commercial value. Some day the titaniferous deposits on the Taranaki beach will become of value, and we hope that the tests to be conducted for Sir John Coode may lead to the discovery of a mode of working up the sands that will cause a market demand for it. In the Supreme Court on May 27, in its divorce and matrimonial jurisdiction, the oases of Heney v. Heney and Moore and Wooloook v. Woolcook and Waddell were heard, and in each a rule nisi for a divorce was granted. The Judges, in giving their decision in Honey’s case, commented on the conduct of the petitioner in allowing the co-respondent Moore to continue to live with him after a proof of the behaviour upon which the suit for the divorce was founded Their remarks will be found in TheKaiwarraßifles,afterparadeonthemorning of the 24th, proceeded to their butts to compete for prizes presented by Messrs. Brandon, M.H.R., Gillon, Staples, Cameron, aud Williams. There were 32 men who took part in the contest. The ranges were 200, 300, and 400 yards, five shots at each range. The firing had to be postponed at the 400 yards range in consequence of the lateness of the hour. The match will be concluded this afternoon at 3 o’clock. Mr. Brandon, M.H.R., was oh the ground, aud took great interest in tho proceedings. The various volunteer corps of Wellington mustered on Friday morning, May 24th, on the reclaimed ground in front of Lambton-quay, and showed the customary mark of loyalty by firing a feu de joie. The following companies were piesent:—Artillery, City Rifles, ICawara Rifles, Karori - Makara Rifles. Artillery Cadets, and City Rifle Cadets. There were 1 almost 300 volunteers present, under the command of Major Stack. The companies were marched left wheel into b.ne, aud bi'ought into open column, when the usual salute was fired. The band then played the National Anthem, aud the companies were marched off the ground under the command of their respective captains. We fear that many residents in this provincial district will be disappointed when they learn that the result of the survey of two of the proposed lines of railway from the Hutt Valley to Waikanae is that their construction would be very costly. Some persons who took a deep interest in having the country examined, with the view to the construction of a railway, hoped that its formation would not bo expensive, while a few anticipated that it might be classed as a cheap railway. We believe the estimate made of the cost is about £BOOO a mile, which is far above the ideas many people entertained. In several places the country is very difficult, and the cuttings aud other works will be of a heavy character. Mr. Clark, 0.E., is now engaged in preparing his report as to the best means for increasing the water supply for the city. The time necessarily involved in obtaining data as to the flow and elevation of various streams must cause delay, but these works are approaching completion, and ere long the result of Mr. Clark's inquiries will be made public. It may be mentioned that it has been found that to bring the Kaiwarra stream to the city by a tunnel under the ranges would not be an advantageous scheme to carry out, the elevation not being sufficient, and the tunnel would be too long. One drawback to a supply procured close to the city would be that the water would suffer more deterioration ’ from pollution than it would if stored in a district where the population would in all probability always be small. The report has not yet been completed, and information still required will bo sent to Auckland, from which place Mr. Clark will report to the Wellington City Council.

The Patea Mail of the Bth instant says:— “ A special meeting of the Patea 1 Harbor Board was held on Thursday last, members having been called together to consider interim report, which had been received from Sir John Coode, as to river improvements. Wo understand that some modifications are proposed, which, however, will not retard the progress of the work, and which will be of material advantage as regards ultimate cost, besides making the work for the contractor less risky, which should mean reduction in price. The prospects of a successful ball in honor of the laying of the foundation stone of the Patea Breakwater are bright.” Mr. Maoandrew's resignation as a member of the Otago University Council has been received. He expressed regret that the Otago University ever consented to waive its claim to Royal charter, for had it not done so there could be no doubt but such charter would have been granted ere now, and the University would have been saved from the imputation of having sold its birthright for a mess of pottage. This was a great blunder, and no time should be lost in retracting it. He thought there could be no difficulty in the way of the Otago University obtaining a charter of its own. The Council decided to invite applications for a lecturer on surgery, at a salary of j£2oo a year in connection with the medical school. The Press of the sth instant says ;—Two very handsome gold medals have been placed in the hands of the hon. secretary to the horse show, to be handed to Mr. D. Tibbot and Mr. J. Spiers from Mr. Walls, as first awards for the best foals by his horses Pride of Scotland and Sir Walter Scott. Applications for deferred-payment sections on the Whakamara Block were received on Wednesday last at the local land office, Carlyle, For sections 1,2, 3, and i there were 12 applicants, for section 28 there were 3 applicants, and for 22, 23, and 30 there were two applicants for each section. Dr. Newman and Mr. J. M. Taylor, as members of the Athenseum Committee, waited upon the Premier on Tuesday by appointment, in reference to handing over the books in the Provincial Library (now the property of the General Government) to the Atheuteum. The deputation was most courteously received by Sir George Grey, who said that the matter was under the consideration of the Government, and he would be able to give a definite answer shortly.' He was himself very much in favor of the establishment of public libraries. Many of the books, papers, and other documents having relation to, the history of the colony were scattered about in various places, and he thought it would conduce to the public benefit to have them all in one building, if arrangements could be made. He assured the deputation that the matter should meet with every attention at the hands of his colleagues and himself. The deputation having thanked the Premier for the courtesy with which he had received them, then withdrew.

At the quarterly licensing meeting, held at Tenui on the 4th instant, the following hotel licenses were granted :—Renewals : 0. B. Miller, Tenui Hotel ; If. G. Maguerson, Marino Hotel; J. Stelliu,; Ohonga Perry Hotel; A. Burling, Akiteo Hotel. A license for a new house at Castlepoint, to be called the Club Hotel, was also granted to 0. Rogers.