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GENERAL NEWS.

By the Gazettes published on October 9bh and 10th, we notice that the quarter’s Customs returns show tho following results: —

—The total amount collected throughout tho colony was £365,493 ; corresponding quarter for 1377, £309.098. Thursday’s Gazette contains tho following matter of general interest;—The value of the imports for the quarter ending 30th of September, 1878, is set down as £2,603,730, and for the corresponding quarter, 1877, £1,891,481. Exports, 1878, £882,295 ; 1877, £914,269. It is satisfactory to note that in grain there is au increase of our exports in every item. The table standing thus—

llabbit skins exported are valued at £8963, against £2419 last year; wool, £200,110, against £191,733. Flour allows an increase of about £6OOO ; meats an increase of about £BOOO. The principal articles in which a decrease has to be noted, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, are in the export of gold, a decrease in value from £432,219, in 1877, down to £295,633, a difference of £136,586. Our other exports have increased about £105,000 as compared with the coresponding quarter of last year ; the total decrease in the value of our exports being £31,000 in round numbers.—The cash receipts for telegrams show an increase of £2233, and the value of General Government telegrams an increase of £l626.—Monday, the 11th of November, is notified as a public holiday, in lieu of Saturday.—A circular letter from V. F. Stanford, Esq., is published, offering a £IOO prize for the best essay on the “ Nature, Prevention, and Treatment of Hodrophobia," to bo awarded by the Koyal College of Surgeons, Loudon, —A notice is also given that wharfage dues of 2s. per ton will be charged for all goods landed or shipped at Napier. The remainder of this Gazette is of local interest only. Wo have received copies of the Appropriation Act and also of the Immigration and Public Works Appropriation Act. The following is the schedule of the sums granted to defray the charges on the Consolidated Fund for the several services therein particularly mentioned, which will come in the course of payment during the year ending 30th June, 1879

Tho revenue of tho Telegraph Department during the past year was about £75,000, being an increase of nearly £9,000 upon the previous year, 1,260,324 telegrams were sent during the year, showing an increase of 135,892 ou the year. Including the value of tho Government telegrams, the earnings of the department amounted to about £94,000, and exceeded the expenditure by £OIO4. A comparison shows that 20*71 telegrams wore sent for every hundred letters, During the year 175 miles of lino, carrying 272 miles of wire, have been erected, aud 340 miles of wire erected on existing lines. Hiroki, the murderer of McLean, cook to. a survey party on the Waimate plains, is at Parihaka ; but it is believed that ho cannot possibly live, on account on a gun-shot wound which he received from some one in the search party when they met him near Opunake. Tho bullet must have hit him in the groin, and driven his cap pouch into the wound. He is under Te Whitu‘s protection, who wishes to see Mr, Sheehan and Major Brown.

The total number of passengers conveyed on the Middle Island railways during the year (says a Northern paper) was 1,159,147, of whom 4208 took out season tickets ; 5044 horses, -2445 head of cattle, 05,282 sheep, 13,071 pigs, 137,883 tons of coal, 75,332 tons of other minerals, 62,102,000 ft. timber, 167,983 tons of grain, 26,550 tons of wool, and 211,378 tons of general merchandise were also transported by rail. Tho total number of miles travelled by trains was 1,'421,767, whilst no fewer than 457,977 miles wore covered in shunting trains and by ballast trains. A meeting was held on October 17th of tho Foxton and Sandon railway promoters. It was decided to form a company to construct tho lino, with a capital of £30,000, in 6000 shares of £5 each. The necessary instructions for constituting a company were given, and a prospectus will be issued in a few days. The company will form about 13 milos of line from Sanson Township to Carnarvon Junction, wliero it joins the Government line. The line will have an important influence upon both districts, and the matter lias been warmly taken up. The rating agreed to is—Foxton and Sandon, £250 between the two ; the other lands, 4d., Bd., and 2d. The large new gasometer at the Wellington Gasworks is mow completed. Work was started for its construction on 15th May, and there have been engaged working at it 36 men, including several engineers. The whole of the castings and iron work were made by Messrs. Loadlow and Sons, of Glasgow and London, and were sent out ready for fixture. Tho diameter of the iron tank, the receptacle for the gasometer, is 82 foot, and tho depth 20 feet. The uprights or supporters for tho gasometer, 18 iu number, aro 45 foot high. It is very seldom that so many uprights ate used, but it was thought it would bo better to be on the safe side, on account of the strong winds. During the into heavy gales the gasometer was inflated with air, and was at its full height. It is as well, perhap', to notice that the wind, strong as it was, had not the slightest effect upon it. What is known as the “holder” works on telescopic principles. The inside lift being 75 feet by 20 feet, and the outside lift SO foot by 20 feet. The storing capacity of gas is about 20,000 feet, and the total weight of iron is COO tons. Mr. S. Brown was the contractor, and the work has been carried out under the supervision of Mr. William Sinnott. This gasometer is the largest in New Zealand, and is now all but ready for use. Mr. Lee, the Inspector of Schools, is now conducting tho annual examination for classification of the pupils. , The city schools have passed most creditably, the' scholars allowing that the course of instruction is sound ; and Mr. Loo is now engaged at tho schools in tho districts in tho immediate vicinity of tho city.

The brewers in.the different parts of the colony are probably rejoicing over the refund of the beer tax already collected; Christchurch brewers alone having nearly £I4OO to recover. The export of gold for the past quarter is less than half what it was daring the previous one, being 50,262 oz., against 102,825 oz. However, news from the West Coast of ah encouraging nature has been coming in, and the mining interest may soon revive again. Above 900,000 acres native laud have been withdrawn from sale by the Government; the most important blocks being in Auckland district—Tauhar.i and Kaiagaroa, of 103,000 and 143,000 acres respectively. Xu Wellington district, Tararua, 103,000 acres; and on the West Coast near Patea 200,000 acres.

We hear of a discovery of land suitable for settlement in the Forty-Mile Bush, near Alfredton, and the settlers from that district have been recommending to tho Minister of Public Works a railway route to Woodville that would pass near the township. The Auckland Diocesan Synod resolved to establish a “ Selwyn Memorial.” The objects are to found a chaplaincy for ministering to gaol, hospital, lunatic asylum, and old people’s refuge. One subscriber promised a hundred pounds. A foreigner threw himself in front of the train shortly after leaving Palmerston on October 17. The train was going twelve miles an hour when the cow-catcher brushed the prostrate man to ono side. The train stopped, and took the man on to Feilding, and he is now at Rowe’s Denbigh Hotel. His injuries arc not serious. •

The Hebrew persuadon hold a ball at the Princess Theatre on October 24th. There was a large attendance, and the nffair was a great success. ■ The supper, provided by Host Wheeler, was exceptionally good, and was the subject of much comment by those present. An . excellent band was in attendance, and dancing was kept up with spirit until the email hours of the morning. The Rev. Father Heunobery, 0.P.P.5., delivered a very impressive and interesting lecture on temperance in the Catholic School, Boulcott-street, on Oct. 24. The schoolroom was crammed, and members of tho Total Abstinence Association wore ; their sashes and medals. The proceeds of the lecture went towards liquidating the convent liabilities, and judging from the large attendance a considerable sum was realised.

A public tea meeting, under the auspices of the Eakaia Band of Hope Lodge, was held at the Athenaeum on October 23. Tho place was literally crowded. The tea was provided by Mr. Tafner, of the Temperance Hotel. After the tables had been cleared away, the passengers of the ship Bakaia presented Captain Metcalf aud the ship's surgeon (Dr. Bussell) with two handsomely illuminated addresses. Mr. Morgan, the ship’s cook, was presented with a gold watch and chain. The recipients acknowledged the gifts in suitable terms. Addresses were delivered by the Bevs. E. T. Harrington, H. Bedstone, and Patterson. The evening’s entertainment conclud-d with a concert, in which the Western Ocean Minstrels took part. At the half-yearly meeting of the South British Insurance Company held on October 14th the report presented showed a premium increase of £68,904, an increase of £10,402 on the corresponding period of last year. The total income, including £9675 brought forward, was £84,925. The losses were £36,584 ; reinsurances and expenses, £25,254 ; and the balance to credit at the end of the half-year, £23,086, of which £IO,OOO is carried to the reserve fund, making it £70,000. A dividend at the rate of 15 per cent, per annum was declared. The investments amount to £175,952, and the assets to £183,086. The reports were adopted. Mr. Hobbs, M.H.E., has been elected to the vacant seat on the directory ; the other directors .were re-elected.

A man named Jame's MoTCelvie, working in the Queen of Beauty mine ou tribute, had a miraculous escape on dot. 11. He was going into an old pass to work, aud wanted to clear it, when he used a pole, and the wall beneath him gaveway, taking him down with the debris some 30 feet. Men were working from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. to get at him, hoisting stuff and cutting timber. They could hear his cries all the while, for the stones fell about him iu such a way as to leave him breathing room, though doubled up ' with boulders. •' When the last rock was taken off him he said, “ God bless you, Tom, that rook’s been giving me—.” He was taken to the hospital, found much bruised aud a small bone of his leg broken, but otherwise well, after seven hours in his living tomb, with boulders above aud below him, He died on October 16th from internal injuries. Wo have received the report of the Government Insurance Commissioner, which states shat tho progress of the department has been very satisfactory. The amount of new business, notwithstanding tho increased competition of foreign companies, has been greater than in any previous year, and exceeds the whole of the new business obtained by life insurance companies in the colony during the same period. 2797 proposals were received during the year for £971,000, of which 806 were declined or not completed, leaving 1991 policies issued for £680,600, the particulars of which are shown in the following summary:—Tho claims during tire year, under 42 life policies, amounted to £18,250, and arose from the death of 37 persons. It is gratifying to note that the rate of mortality experienced still continues very much below that on which tire tallies used by the department are based.' The number of policies issued since the establishment of the department is 10,813, assuring £3,846,8X3; of which 1969 have been discontinued, leaving 8844 existing policies, assuring £5,267,231. Attached to the report are the accounts prescribed in tho 41st section of the Government Insurance and Annuities Act 1874. The income of the year from all sources amounted to £111,201 16s. 2d., and the accumulated fund now stands at £292,523 2s. 4d., being an increase of £73,128 18s. 4d. during the year. The policy-holders are being transferred as rapidly ns possible to the ordinary, branch. Two claims, for £179 45,, have arisen during the year, caused by tho death of two persons. We have received the ninth annual report of tho Botanic Garden Board. The report shows that five meetings of the Board have been held during the yeari The principal work during the past year has been making a new approach from the Tinakori-road, and a new gate erected at the main entrance to tile gardens in that direction. From this'gate a broad road has been formed for 12 chains, as the first part of a carriage drive, which it is proposed to extend through the Domain and Town Balt to Wellington-terrace, so as to provide easy access from the To Aro end of the city. A number of other minor improvements have been made, and several useful works aro now iu progress. Tho large number of 4253 young trees were distributed to various public gardens and reserves on application to the Board, aud 4915 plants were disposed of by sale to private individuals. Donations of plants were received from Mr. Justice Gillies, Trustees of the late Mr. Ludlam, Mr. Drake, Mr, T. Mason, and tho Hon. Mr. Mantell. In compliance with a request made by the Board, tho Government have given the necessary authority for a further supply of seeds from California, an order for which will be forwarded by tho outgoing mail. Tho usual statement of accounts, showing tho receipts £BB2 3s. 2d., anj expenditure £721 Bs. 7d„ for tho past year, are appended to tho report, which gives a balance in hand to date of £l6O 16s. 7d. Wo notice among other items included under receipts that the sale of plants, hay, &c., realised £175 10s. We consider that the Board is to bo congratulated upon the result of their labors.

On Tuesday, October 29, Kawana Hunia and Nepia. two of tho leading Rangitikei chiefs, entertained company at the Metropolitan Hotel. There were present tho Hon. Mr. Sheehan (Native Minister), Hon. Colonel Whitmoro (Colonial Secretary), Mr. Taiaroa, Hr. Duller, M.L.C., Mr. Moorhouse, M.H.R., Messrs. Fraser, Bull, T. B. Young, >7. Carroll, W. Grey, Captain Power, and others, including several chiefs of note; "and apologies wero received from Sir George Grey, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Mr. Halso, and others. “ The Queen ” and “ tho Governor ” wore duly honored, and then tho “ Ministry” was proposed. Tho Hon. Mr. Sheohad, in replying tor tho Ministry, referred to tho hard work of the session, and expressed regret that in consequence he had been unable to give them that attention which perhaps they deserved ; but now that ho would be more at leisure ho would be able to attend to their wants bettor. Ho thanked them for the assistance the native race had given him since ha had been hr office, and hoped they were satisfied. Of course they could not have ■everything they wanted, but their ideas as what should be law would- bo respected and given effect to as far as possible. Colonel Whitmoro also responded, and other toasts followed. During the evening Nepia presented Mr. Bull (who is about leaving for England) with a very line greenstone pendant ns a mark of frondship and goodwill. We hoar that an exploration and prospecting party started for Nelson on Tuesday. They are connected with the Geological Survey Department. We hope that their researches may be amply rewarded.

A steamer for Light and Co., of Napier, was .launched at Auckland on October 24th.

, Two men were severely gored by bulls at the slaughterhouse, Auckland, on October 24. The Auckland Acclimatisation Society hare liberated 500 Californian trout in the lake at Waikato.

A man named George Fyfo was crushed to death in a tunnel at Alorice Creek, Greymouth, on Octaber 23rd.

The unfortunate man Clarke, who hurt his spine while bathing at thu baths, died at the Hospital on October 18th.

The chief officer of the barque Felixstowe was found wished ashore ou October 19 about five miles south of the vessel.

The ship Waimate, which sailed for England from Lyttelton on October 21st carried cargo valued .at 43136,000, including £IO,OOO worth of gold. A wrestling match has been arranged between Tyson, of Otago, and Thomas, of Victoria, to take place on the 28th December, for £IOO a side and the championship of Victoria and New Zealand. Thomas wrestles Dagg on the 14th December for £2OO a side.

A dastardly assault was made on the Rev. Mr. Douglas, of Akaroa, after tho Sunday evening service, as ha was returning home. He was severely beaten with a stick, and his assailants made off. In the morning service tho rev. gentleman had spoken in vary strong terms of the conduct of a portion of tha larrikin element of tho town.

A man named Ruhlits, engaged at the Sugar Leave', New Plymouth, on a contract going ou there in connection with the harbor works, was buried on the m irning of O .'tuber 18th by a fall of earth. Ha was immediately dug out and found to 'be alive, but expired about.ten minutes afterwards. He was one of the late immigrants by the Hnrunui, and was unmarried.

Tha Manawatu Herald says;—There is every appearance of, a splendid fruit season this year. From Motoa and all the other out-districts, we hear of promising buds hanging in thick clusters, and there is every probability this will be one of the best fruit seasons known for many years. Wo also hear that in many quarters new potatoes are in an advanced condition.

We hear that the Hyderabad, when examined by the gentlemen appointed ,to report upon the wreck of the Felixstowe, was apparently almost uninjured; some water was in her hold, but although high up on the beach she was not much more than a couple o' feet deep in the sand, and hopes were entertained of her being floated off again. This vessel was beached bows on, and was in a much better position to withstand the surf than her companion in misfortune, the Felixstowe. The latter was cast upon the beach broadside on, with her deck exposed to the full fury of the surf, and speedily became a hopeless wreck. At the lecture given by Archdeacon Stock ou “ Genesis and Geology,” at the Athenanm, on October 18th, there was a full attendance. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. W. H. West, and Professor Kirk occupied the chair. The lecture was the outcome of a varied and lengthened course of reading by the lecturer, who has devoted much time and thought to the subject. He entered very fully into the objections raised by scientific men in former and recent times against the history of the world, as sot forth in Genesis. The lecture was delivered in connection with the Young Men’s Christian Association. At a meeting of the Wanganui County Council held on Thursday, October 24th, it was resolved that £SO be voted from the county funds to the relief of the immigrants per city of Auckland. A subscription list was also opened. A committee appointed three members to proceed to the scene of the wreck, and to offer work to any of the immigrants desirous of remainingon the West Coast. Great demand exists in this district for labor ; the whole of the City of Auckland’s immigrants could be absorbed, The Herald to-night strongly urges the erection of a lighthouse on Kapiti. If a light was there it would be a real harbor of refuge for vessels in bad weather. Since the removal of the light from Maua wrecks are frequent, as vessels standing in from the westward cannot distinguish low land in misty weather till ton close. The Napier Daily Telegraph has the following little items about the City of Auckland which we have not seen mentioned elsewhere ; —Until last voyage Captain Rolls owned a fifth of the vessel, but while in Auckland parted with his share to Mr. Seccomb, a son of the brewer of that name, who was then, and probably is now an officer ou board. It is not the first time misfortune has befallen the ship. In 1871, while loading wool at the Auckland wharf, she took fire, and was scuttled to save her from destruction. After the fire was by this means extinguished, she was raised by Mr. George Kills, now of Napier, and loaded afresh for London. Some notoriety was attached to the occurrence in consequence of it happening during the excitement caused by the incendiarisms of the noted Cyrus Haley, to whom, we believe untruthfully, was attributed this attempt to destroy the ship. The Paten Mail says :—The search for Hiroki on the Waimate Plains has led to excursions over laud and to places seldom before visited by Europeans, and “ discoveries” have been made. Passing along the ordinary coach road the plains appear to be bounded by bush which, gradually rising, extends far as the eye can reach, and apparently without break. It turns out that immediately behind the long line of bush hounding the plains there are extensive Maori clearings, which are cultivated with a care which would do credit to crack European farmers, the land being also surpassingly rich in quality. Clearings are to be met with from 50 to 100 or more acres in extent .of the finest grass, which is kept perfectly clean and free from weeds or the incursions of cattle, and the seed from which will be gathered and sold to Europeans. Some who saw these clearings for the first time were a.-toniahed both at their extent and the evidence of care bestowed on them.

A letter received by Dr. Hector from Professor Leversidge, the commissioner for New South Wales at the Paris Exhibition, and in whose charge were placed the four or five exhibits by which New Zealand was represented, states that two awards wore made in favor of this colony, viz., a bronze medal to Mr. Knorpp, C.E., of Wellington, for a cabinet of dried plants ; and a silver medal to Mr. Douglas McLean, of Napier, for his exhibits. Mr. McLean’s collection, we believe, consisted of wools and Maori weapons, &o. In the same note the Professor adds that the Geological Congress passed off very well. There were nearly 400 present, and Dr. Hector's books and maps were received with pleasure. We are informed that in all probability Nelson will be the place to which Inspector Atchison will be removed. Ho will there hold the same rank as in Wellington—namely, that of second-class superintendent—and will receive the same rate of pay. First-class Superintendent Brougham, of Christchurch, will be transforod to Wellington, and will hold the same rank and receive tho same amount of remuneration paid to him as head of the department in tho City of the Plains. It is slid that during the recess efforts will be made by the Government to extend the railway to To Awamutu ; that is, we presume, if they succeed in obtaining tho necessary permission from the natives.

A new edition, octavo, of Mr. Buchanan’s work on Now Zealand grasses is in the press, and will shortly be published. The Government find that the quarto edition is too expensive for general gratuitous circulation. The splendid plates in the quarto editions are being reduced to octavo size by means of the photolithographic process. The amount of subscriptions collected now for Mrs. Piggott is about £l7O. Captain Croll received £lO from the members of the Legislative Council on Saturday. The two men who were arrested last week for having an illicit still were brought before the Resident Magistrate at Martou on Saturday, and were each fined £IOO, or in default one year’s imprisonment. We notice that it was mentioned by Mr. IV de 0. Malet in the Synod at Christchurch, that the amount available for the income of the Primate of New Zealand, which is derived from the Bishopric estate, is £1237 13s. 7d. A man named William Colsic, a resident of the Hutt, died in the Hospital on Friday from an abscess in the throat. He was 51' years of age, and had suffered severe pain. °Au exchange says ;—The Cromwell diggings are looking up. A recent yield from the Quartz Mining Company there was 293 ounces of gold from 230 tons of stone. This will gladden the hearts of the shareholders. A man named James Anderson, working at Booth’s sawmills, Taratahi, mot with a fatal accident on Friday. ■ He was moving a heavy log, which by some means rolled on him and crushed him severely. _ He died about three hours later. ■

The case of. Regina v.'A. H. McLean, for forgery, terminated on Tuesday in a not guilty. His Honor Air. Justice Gillies expressed his concurrence in the verdict of tire jury, and the accused was discharged from custody. There was some applause in Court at the announcement of the verdict, and on the liberation of the prisoner from tho dock.

Wellington railways seem likely to bear comparison with those of their neighbors. Wa learn frsm a West Coast paper that the Wan-ganui-Mauawatu railway now stands fourth ou the list as regards revenue for period specified. The total receipts to date since the Hue was opened now represent £6045, and the total working expenditure for tha same time £4458, so that it will be seen that the line is paying handsomely, Tho percentage of expenditure to receipts is 7375, showing a most satisfactory improvement. The receipts per mile of railway represent £304,. and the expenditure £224. a further most convincing proof of the reproductive results of the section referred to. We dure say a good many Wellington people have little idea of the great works which are going on ou the West Coast in the way of affording facilities for raining and for t'aific over some of tho most rough aud difficult country in the world. For instance, it may be mentioned that a Parliamentary paper recently issued refers to a tramway which in its course meets with the Teremakau River and gorge of something like 860 ft. across. To get passengers across this a cage apparatus had been resorted to. A couple of wire ropes have been stretched across, fastened at each end of the gorge to a strong derrick. There is a stationary steam engine at one side of the gorge, aud this supplies the power for working these wire ropes so that a cage full of passengers or of produce, as the case may be, is hauled from tho one side to the other. Of course, owing to the width of the span, thoro is a considerable declension in the middle, aud travelling across in this hand-b isket fashion may he dangerous, but so far there have been no accidents.

Wo have received a copy of Dr. Hector’s report on the D'Urville Island copper ore deposits. The results of the. examination are contained in the' following extracts :—Copper ore ocouring in serpentine rook, as is the case in this instance, is usually found only in irregular patches and not in defined lodes, so that Mr. Cox was specially instructed to note the extent and relative arrangement of the various outcrops. From his report, it appears evident that the ore follows the usual rule and is distributed in “ bunches" or lenticular masses, but in this case the bunches seem to have a very massive development and are likely to afford ore in remunerative quantity. The general average of the ore would give a yield of about 22 tons of copper to the 100 tuns of ore as mined. Similar copper ores are now smelted in New South Wales, the latest official notice available showing the produce for 1876 to have been 3106 tons of copper, valued at £243,142, or at the rata of £7B per ton. Taking this and the foregoing estimate, the average value of the D'lJrville Island ore would be about £l7 per ton, less the expense of mining, shipping, and smelting. A gentleman who has lately arrived from the West Coast supplies us with the following news of interest in reference to mining enterprise :—Tho prospectors at work along tha new road which is shortly to be opened up, between Ross and Okarito are showing great diligence, and are evidently well acquainted with their ■work. As they are all experienced miners, and are taking a good deal of trouble, there is no doubt they are getting a good _ reward tor their trouble. The miners at work in Butchers Gully, in tho ranges overhanging tho Kanieri Lake, are doing well Tho Kumara is very fiat for want of a deep sludge channel to intersect the deeper part of the leads. The miners find working the mines under tha present system very expensive. The Golden Point claim, which marks the extension of the Reeftou diggings iu a southerly direction, is looking well, aud a couple of tons of stuff tha other day yielded 60oz. of amalgam. As to the coal mines at Waimungaroa, the Otago company is hard at work at its tramway, a very difficult and expensive work, costing as much as £IOOO a chain in some places. The Wellington company is tha only one putting out coal at the present time. The others are cither considering their position or doing preliminary work.

An instance is given by the N. Z. Herald of the cost sometimes entailed in importing small parcels from Loudon to New Zealand otherwise than through a systematic agency. A short time ago the. bandmaster of the Hibernian baud sent an order to a London firm for music to the amount of £1 18s. This-was duly forwarded in a small parcel about the size of a yearly volume of the Leisure Hour or Sunday at Home. Instead, however, of being sent direct to New Zealand, it was sene first to -Melbourne, thence to the Bluff, and thence on to Auckland. The charges for transit amounted to £2 odd, or considerable more than the original cost of the music. Had he in-; trusted the order to one of our principal booksellers, the music would have been delivered in due course at a very small advance upon the published price. Most people have to learn by experience. ■

On Tuesday a deputation, consisting of the, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, and the Rev. Mr. Paterson, waited on the Hon. Mr. Ballanoe with reference to the Thorndon school reserves. The deputation, was introduced by tho Hon. Mr. Gisborne, who said that they had come to ask for infor- ■ matiou on the subject of the promised reserves, and if possible to obtain such a title as would enable them to commence building immediately. The Hon. Mr. Ballance informed the dep ration that as he had some doubt about the title he had referred the matter to the Solicitor-General. The question was whether the Board could get the title now, but if this could not be done, the Government would have tho difficulty removed next session. Tho contract would not be completed for about three months yet, and the Solicitor-General was of opinion that it was not desirable to hand over the reserves to the Board until the contract was completed. He would communicate with the Board as soon as the Government were in possession of the Solicitor-General's opinion. In answer to a question from the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, the Hon. Mr, Ballance said that this year the Beard would only get their quota of the £IOO,OOO voted, but for next year they had power to obtain advances on their quota of the two years’ appropriation of £200,000 made this session. The quota of the Wellington Board would bo about £16,000, and they could expend this amount by obtaining the necessary sanction provided by the Act. Replying to tho Rev. Mr. Paterson, tho Hon. Mr. Ballance could not say definitely whether the Board could sell these reserves in order to obtain more suitable sites. He saw no objection to such a course, but at present there was no power to adopt it. After thanking the Minister for his services in the cause of education generally, the deputation withdrew. The.following pitiful story is quoted by the Lytidton Tims :—“ A most distressing case was reported to the police of Timaru yesterday. A man named John Mananga, a Frenchman, engaged in fishing near the Washdyke, was thrown from his horse on Monday last week, and had his log broken. The accident occurred eight milos from his tout, and as no assistance was offered, the poor fellow started to crawl to his tent. It took him two days and nights to get along the beach to tho tent, and the exertion wore the flesh off the knee of tho unbroken leg. He had no food in his tent, but kept himself alive by eating Maori hens, which his dog caught and brought to him. He was discovered by two boys yesterday, whom he informed of his sad position. Tho boys reported the matter to Mr. Charteris, who at once informed the police. Sergeant Haldane got Dr. Mclntyre to go out at once, and the man was found in a frightfully emaciated state. He was brought in to the hospital, where tho leg was set with some difficulty. Mananga is expected to recover with a few weeks’ careful nursing*

A correspondent of the Auckland Weekly News sends the following :—“ Some of your subscribers here are indulging in a little chaffing, connected with a statement made by Archdeacon Clarke, of Waimate, at the annual church meeting held in the Choral Hall, at Auckland, on the 12th instant, in which he mentioned, l as a fact not generally known, that the present Premier (Sir George Grey) was actually , saved from a “ Maori "oven” through the instrumentality of his father,’ an announcement which has caused no little sensation. That the rev. gentleman believes this to be really true, no one for a moment doubts; while, on the other hand, its authenticity, possibly, is not beyond question, and, with good old Paley, would listen with attention to tho evidence of some credable witnesses, and thus truly be able to realise the hairbreadth escape of the then Governor of the colony, but for the timely presence and interposition of his late respected father. If, then, all this be true, Sir George Grey must over remain under a deep and lasting sense of gratitude for his deliverance. But it has been suggested, at the same time, as to whether, under the a personage so exalted might not have escaped the mortification of being cooked In a ‘ Maori oven,’ and, rather, to have been spared as a decent * hostage in the bands of cunning but ill-advised semi-barbarians,’ Moreover, Air. Clarke mus know that, as a trophy during war time, the possession of his own living body by tho rebel natives would more than have counterbalanced the relish to bo looked for from partaking of a dish at once bo dainty ana so precious.*’

Two hundred and thiry tons stone from the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company, Otago, have yielded of gold. : The tramway system in and about Dunedin is about to be offered to the public in the form of a company, tho promoters getting £20,000 for their rights. During the past week the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society distributed 13,000 young trout in various streams in the northern district.

Father Reignier, with a small party of native children of both sexes, which he is taking to the Convent to be educated, left Taupo on October 12fch for Napier. - From Auckland we learn that Mr. Firth is engaged in distributing two hundred thousand Californian salmon ova in the upper part of the Thames river, presented by Mr. Baird, the United States Fish Commissioner. The following is the number of letters and papers received by the San Francisco mail on Oct. 25 i—From London; 4212-letters, 806 book packets, 10,130 newspapers. From San Francisco : 297 letters, 126 book packets, 715 newspapers. Jfßeturn of patients iu the Wellington Hospital during and ending tho. month of October, 1878 :—Admitted, 26 males, 7 females; discharged, 21 males, 2 females ; died, 2 males ; left in hospital, 41 males, 11 females; total, 55. The following tenders have been received by the Public Works Department for the Ngatoro permanent-way contract of the Waitara to Patea railway, viz. :—Accepted : D, Wilkie, Waitotara, £2212. Declined : P. Hacketfc, New Plymouth, £1772 ; J. Macree, New Plymouth, £2411; R. McGouagle, New Plymouth, £2421 ; D. Glendhmiug, New Plymouth, £2638 ; J. McLean, Wellington, £2603; Hursthouse and Berry, New Plymouth, £3003; W. G. Bassett, Wanganui, £3184. The dinner of the Napier Agricultural Society was held on October 10th; over sixty persons were present, Mr. Sutton, M.H.R. in the chair. Several of the judges from other provinces, sach as Studholme and Gray, spoke in high terms of the district and of the show generally, remarking as special features in the sheep that were exhibited that there were no “ culls.” They advised, however, that the laud be cultivated by crops, else the stock would deteriorate. A very pleasurable evening was spent, the company breaking up at midnight/ Dr. Hector has examined Langdoa’s line of reefs, on the West Coast of the Middle Island, and has full confidence that the discovery will lead to the opening out of an extensive reefing district, as the slate formation is continuous for sixteen miles iu a straight line from Langdon’s Creek to Canoe Creek. Five distinct lines of reef have been already discovered, and it is reported that some extraordinarily rich specimens have been sent to town from the head of the Ten Mile Creek.

We are requested to state that the subscription list that was opened by Captains Croll and Armit in favor of Mrs. Pigott is now closed. By the help of subscriptions raised from members of the House of Representatives the amount has reached between £l4O and £l5O, which we hope may prove sufficient to enable the widow to tide over a trying time. A baptismal aervice was held on October 25 at the Bethel, Herbert-street, connected with the Feathers ton-.street Baptist Church. The

Bev. Thomas Harrington preached an impres- ■ sive sermon, and argued forcibly against the practice of infant baptism as contrary to Scriptural injunction and ancient practice. Five .-candidates were then baptised for'admission into the Baptist Church. The service was solemn and impressive throughout, and a large number of persons were present. ’ The snpp'ementary estimates contain an item of £SOO for the establishment of a sailor’s home at Wellington ; and a grant of £IOOO to the Wellington College ; also, £2OO for a new clock, repairs, &c,,for the Wellington Observatory ; £IO,OOO, expenses for collection of land tax ; £4OOO, bonus on rabbits or rabbit skins exported; £1250, refund to Titanic Steel Company ; £3OOO for anchor and cable testing apparatusfor Wellington and other ports, &e. In a copy of the New Zealand Gazette for October 24th we find that the traffic returns for the Wellington railway for the month amount to £1516, as against £033 in the corresponding month last year ; the passengers carried were 10,336, against 7985. During the year ending September 21at the total receipts on the Wellington line were £4248, against an expenditure of £3051,—-equal to 71 per cent, of the ■ earnings. For the whole of the railways in the colony during the year the receipts were £133,000, against an expenditure of £IO,BOO, — equal to 75'8 per cent of the receipts. The rents of the pasturage runs in Canterbury, to be paid on the first day of May, 1880, based upon the area of the runs as it stood in January, 1878, is set down at £76,917 ; but this amount is subject to certain deductions, of which thetutala are not given. A table of the vital statistics of the chief towns for the month of September shows that Christchurch stood highest, with a death-rate for the month of 1'34 per 1000;; Nelson lowest, with 0'75 per 1000. Notice is given of the intention to construct a railway from" Waimate to Padding Hill, in Canterbury, under the District Kailways Act. The Fiji Banking Company, Auckland, is declared fairly wound up. A supplement to the Gazette also contains a copy of the articles of agreement between Messrs. Me Median, Blackwood, and Co, and the Postmaster-General. The steam vessels, when carrying mails from Melbourne, shall proceed theaca by way of and calling at Bluff Harbor, Port Chalmers, and Lyttelton, in New Zealand; and when carrying mails " from Wellington to Melbourne, proceed thence by way of and calling at Lyttelton, Fort Chalmers, and Bluff Harbor aforesaid. One of the said steam vessels shall, within a reasonable time after the arrival of the European mail at Hobson’s Bay in each month, leave that port for Wellangton aforesaid, proceeding thereto by the route specified ; and shall, deliver the said mails in New Zealand within the following times from the arrival of the European mail in Hobson’s Bay, that is to say,—At Bluff Harbor, 168 hours, or 7 days; at Port Chalmers, 192 hours, of 8 days; at Lyttelton, 228 hours, or 9i days ; at Wellington, 252 hours, or 10J days: Provided that, if the said European mail shall arrive in Hobson’s Bay more than forty • eight hours before its due date, then a proportionate time ’ shall be added to ‘the number of hours fixed for the delivery of the mails at Wellington. The fine for non-delivery of the mail within contract time is £IOO, and £4 per hour after 24 hours. A £IOOO penalty for a wilful breach of contract is stipulated for. The amount to be paid for the double monthly service from Melbourne to Wellington is £384 12s. 4d. per lunar month. The Bank of New • Zealand’s half-yearly meeting was held on October 29. The £25,000 was carried to the reserve fund, making It now £350,000. Power was taken to issue new shares, so as to make the paid-up capital £1,000,000, but it is not intended to issue these shares before March next. The direc-

tors’ report was adopted by the meeting. At the Bank of New Zealand meeting Mr. Stone and the Hon. J. Williamson were elected directors. .The President said: “When I last aderesaed you from tbis'chair and called attention to the circumstances which would probably conduce to the continued high offers by our foreign rivals for New Zealand deposits, and although their action during the past half-year has been intensified in this direction, I am pleased to think it has not been attended with any appreciable success in withdrawing capital from the colony. The banka which are locally interested have with ourselves been ready to meet any such action on the part of our opponents, and much as we deprecate the existing high rates, which are calculated to narrow enterprise and to divest capital from the ordinary channel, so long as the policy is pursued by others we have no other course to follow in self-defence. , For the wellbeing of the colony it may be hoped that there will soon be a return to wiser counsels. You may rest assured, though ever ready to defend our interests, your directors will be equally ready to co-operate with other banks in a return to a wiser and more prudent practice. Business throughout the colony during the past half-year has been exceedingly active and prosperous, and the rapid development of hitherto unproductive districts, with the continned inflow of crpital and labor, afford good ground for believing that the steady progress of the colony will be continuous, i Thera will be ample scope for the profitable employment of the largo resources of the bank after the winter of unusal severity in the Southern portion of the colony, which has recently been visited by disastrous floods, but as yet no approximation can bo made of the probable damage done, though there is reason to believe'lndividual losses will not be excessive. While sympathising with the sufferers, -wo have such confidence in the recuperative ■power of the colony as to believe that this misfortune will not appreciably affect the rapid progress of the Southern districts." The following. resolution was carried,—That this meeting authorise directors, at tbelr discretion, to issue 27,C00 shares of £lO each, at such premium as the directors may consider equitable, and that such shares be first offered to shareholders. Payment of the increased capital not to b« called up prior to tho 81st Match, 1879-

Mr. Bills, the- well-known ornithologist, arrived from Australia on October 16th. He proceeds to England on behalf of the Canterbury A cc fi ma^aa^on Society for the purpose of selecting £2OO worth of birds. We notice that among the Supplementary Estimates passed on October 29th there was a gum of £19,600 for lighthouses. Mr. Sheehan stated that Maua lighthouse would be re-estab-lished, and that other fights at the entrance to the Strait would also be furnished. This expenditure should tend to prevent the recurrence of wrecks on the West Coast, and will be generally approved of. Jealousy of Wellington is none the less strong because more seldom expressed of late. This was shown by the treatment of the Wellington Reclaimed Land Sale Bill. After being stonewalled for a considerable time it was thrown out, Mr, Barton (as usual when Wellington interests are concerned) contributing to the defeat of the measure. Later on the Government introduced a clause into the Financial Arrangements Bill enabling them to sell so much of the laud as would yield £120,000 to pay for the Wellington Hospital and the cost of reclamation.

A few days since (says the Timami Herald) we were shown a number of apparently precious stones, which had been collected in the gorge of one of the Mackenzie Country rivers by a shepherd who had been living there for a number of years. Soon after settling there he transmitted a quantity of similar stones to Edinburgh for examination, and received a reply that they had been submitted to the inspection of a high-class lapidary, who pronounced them to include, amongst other gems, very valuable samples of emeralds, jaspers, garnets, rubles, and opals. Acting on this assurance, the person in question set to work and got together the collection he showed us, and which he is sending Home by the outgoing Suez nail.

The Tuapeka Times has the following about the Balclutha bridge:—“None of man’s handiwork In the form of dray or waggon bridges has proved capable of reriatitg the mighty torrent of the Molyneux. The Clutha traffic bridge, which cost the country £14,000, and which, it was thought, was proof against all floods, has at last given way. The piers, which consisted of a series of piles closely built together, seem to have been its weakest part, for one of them got undermined and was completely washed away, submerging the platform at the centre two or three feet in the stream. These casualties on the river will take a long while to repair, and without large Government assistance, the counties canuot possibly do anything." The guilelessnesa and simplicity of the Maori mind were beautifully illustrated, says the Poverty Bay Standard , in the evidence of an aboriginal lord of the soil in the case Scrimgeour v. Wright and Carter, heard before the Resident Magistrate on 29th October. The learned counsel thought he had John Maori in a corner by asking him “If a right-of-way existed for some thirty years, why did you not object to Mr. Scrimgeour putting up the fence 1" The artless witness replied “Because Judge Hogan had told me that when the land passed through the Court everything thereon would become mine.” The countenance of the man of law indicated that his feelings were unenviable when his opponent thus threw down both bowers and the ace and euchred him.

But for the fact that on Thursday, Oct. 31, people knew they were within the Parliamentary Buildings, they would have inferred that a large educational establishment was on the point of breaking up for the holidays. The sittings of the several conferences necessitated short adjournments, and some hon. members made the time go merrily round in various ways. Those most musically inclined formed themselves into quartette parties in the lobbies, and one patriotic son of Erin started the “ Wearing of the green ” with such gusto that the chorus echoed through the passages, and was applauded by the strangers in the gallery, to whom the privilege of applauding was an unusual luxury, and they indulged themselves accordingly to the fullest extent. The principal soloist of the night was the hon. member for Dunstan; but it was a matter for regret—and the feeling was general—that Mr. Murray and bis violin were non eat, and that there was no Mr. Christopher at hand, as of yore, to send for his lordship’s fiddle. The funeral of Mr. Alfred Scales took place on Wednesday, October 30, and there was a large attendance of friends to accompany his remains from his late residence, Pipitea-street, to the Church of England Cemetery. The Bev. Mr. Harvey read the funeral service in a most impressive manner. The late Mr. Scales was in partnership with Mr. E. J. Creighton in Auckland, and leased the Southern Cross newspaper for a considerable time. That paper was greatly improved during their proprietorship, and took a leading position amongst the newspapers of the colony. After the Waikato war Mr. Scales made a tear of the North Island, visiting the different townships, and ultimately took up his residence in Wellington. He was engaged as reader at the Government printing office for a considerable period, and was acknowledged to be one of the beat in the colony, being both painstaking and correct. He left the Government printing office in order to acquire the appointmeot of sub-manager of the New Zealand Times, but afterwards returned to the Government employ. Mr. Scales leaves a widow and a large circle of friends to lament his loss.

■ Who is Betty Nichol, and why has Hori Kerei forgotten her so long 1 Let Betty rejoice and be glad, for after many days she is remembered. The following is one of the items in the' schedule to the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, which was agreed to in committee of the Council on October 30 :—Betty Nicol, a native woman. To grant 150 acres, to be selected by her from any rural land open for sale in the district of Wellington. The grant to bo issued to a trustee named by the Governor upon trust for the sole and separate use of the said Betty Nicol for life without power to anticipate, and after her death for all her half-caste children in equal shares. Trustee to have such powers as Governor may think expedient to set forth in the grant. The grant may be registered under the Land Transfer Act, 1870, notwithstanding any trusts expressed therein. The assurance fund not to be responsible for any breach of such trusts. Grant to be subject to the provisions of the Crown Grants Act, 1366, and Acts amending the same. The Governor may reserve in the grant a right of road not exceeding 100 links wide. And the reason for giving Betty the laud is thus printed in the Bill: —To give effect to an undertaking made by Governor Sir George Grey in 1853. The survey of the, Waimate Plains is being proceeded with very rapidly. Surveyors are now engaged on the inland side of the main road, and the natives, so far from being riled at the survey, are •on the most friendly terms with the men, numbers daily visiting them. Even Titokowaru and his men often come uninvited to dinner. The natives have also shown their friendship by allowing the men connected with the survey party to bail up two of their cows, and to have the milk from them, besides showing many other little acts of kindness. One party of the surveyors is engaged cutting the block boundary on the inland side of the road near Kaure, The line is three and one-eighth miles straight over everything, and runs up a wooded gully on to the high land above the plains. Another party is surveying the laud a short distance from tho road. Thus everything is proceeding most satisfactorily, and it will not be many months before we may hear of the work being finished.

The Agnes Donald, from Levuka, reports the collection of 900 tons cotton, b4che-de-mer, and other produce in payment of native tax. The planters are turning their attention to the growth of coffee with great success. The Wesleyan mission brig John Wesley has arrived at Levuka. The John Wesley is making her usual annual visit to the mission stations. She brings-down a large supply of stores for the use of the missionaries and various circuits. After discharging her inward freight she proceeds to the mission station at New Britain, via Aotumah, for which station she carries twelve months’supplies, in addition to one white clergymen and his lady, brought from Sydney. The ■ John Wesley will take back the Now Britain reinforcements of native ministers and teachers from Eiji, who, despite the late massacre of some of their brethren, are hastening to fill up the breach made in the numerical strength of the new mission. A curious rumor has got abroad in England. On October 16th in the House, the Hon. Mr. Maoandrew read the following telegram from the Agent-General:—“English papers have a telegram stating that six missionaries have been eaten by natives in New Zealand. Have denied it. Wire facts.” The reading of tho telegram was received with great laughter in the House; but the matter has a serious, as well as a comical aspect, for a story of that character going tho rounds of tho Home papers would go a long way towards increasing the misapprehension that exists at Homo regarding colonial life, and would create an impression respecting Now Zealand amongst the ignorant, which shoals of > pamphlets would not remove, Eortunately Sir Julius Vogel took active steps at once to contradict tho statement

The trains to the Hutt on Oct. 15 were well patronised by pleasure-seekers. Pic-nicking was the order of the day in this direction, and as the weather was fine, no doubt all spent a very pleasant day. ■ The form the Selwyn memorial will take in Canterbury will be a new stone church at Phillipstown to be called the Selwyn Memorial Church. ... The Dunedin Morning Herald says : —■ A trout weighing 81bs. was , exhibited iu Mr. Melville’s window yesterday." We only draw attention to the fact to show how much Wellington is behind the times in pisciculture. A melancholy accident occurred on the North Shore, Auckland. Oliver May’s horse, attached to a cart, bolted and knocked over two children, sons of Mr. Gerrard, bootmaker; one, three years old, was killed instantly, aud the other six years old was seriously injured. The half-yearly report ©f the National Insurance Company shown that the total receipts, including £8629 from last year, are £48,624 ; the losses for the half-year are £23,155, leaving a balance of £25,469. The directors recommend tho payment of 10 per cent, on capital, and £15,000 to be carried to the re-insur-ance fund ; £5469 to bo carried forward to next year. A pair-oared race on the Avon between four ladies connected with the dramatic profession took place on October 28, and created great interest. The distance was half-a-mile, the stakes a ladies* hat. Two of the ladies were known as the “light" crew and two as the “ heavies.” The betting was in favor of the latter, but the little ones got away with a good start, and won by about four lengths amidst the cheers of a largo number of spectators. At Hamilton, Waikato, a man named Oawell, who had not been seen since October sth, was found dead in a whare on the 10 th by a boy named Peacock, who supplied him with milk. The boy not getting any answer, and finding Friday’s milk left outside, told his mother, who went, and found him dead as above stated. Dr. Waddington, who was called in by the police, says he had been dead for some days. At an inquest held at Ashburton on the body of a young married woman named Catherine Russell, who was prematurely confined on Oct. 25tb, the nurse who was present said she saw she was in a dangerous condition, and repeatedly urged the deceased's husband to fetch a doctor, but he refused to do so, saying she had been much worse at previous confinements; meanwhile the woman died in his arms of hemcerrage. The jury brought iu a verdict accordingly, and strongly censured the husband for neglect. The coroner said it was the most mournful case he had ever had before him, and added that the magistrate would probably take the matter up. The Marlborough Press says “We have in New Zealand 450 parsons, the number being as follows :—Church of England, 156 ; Presbyterian, 108 ; Roman Catholic, 67 ; and other denominations, 129 —or about 1 to every 880 of the population. There are 262 lawyers, of whom Dunedin claims 51 ; Auckland, 44 ; Wellington and Christchurch each 30; the balance being pretty evenly scattered—theproportion is about Ito every 1100. The doctors muster 242, and Dunedin has again the lion’s share—3l ; Christchurch following with 24 ; Auckland, 21; and Wellington with 16—1 to 1230 ; while of commission agents there are something like 350." Speaking of the immigrants by the City of Auckland, the Napier Daily Telegraph says : —“ A Wanganui telegram informs us that the council of that county held a meeting yesterday, and at once voted £SO for the relief of the sufferers. This amount will go, however, but a little way towards providing a change of clothing for 240 persons We hope Hawke’s Bay will nob be behind Wanganui in generosity, but that out of our abundance we will give to those who need. Subscriptions will be received and acknowledged at the office of this paper."

The Taranaki Herald of the 21st instant has the following ;—The young salmon and trout for the Acclimatisation Society were brought here this morning per Taiaroa, Of the 6000 trout ordered only 2600 were shipped. About 400 are dead, leaving a balance of about 2200 alive. This is considered a very good average. Of the 100 salmon ordered only about a dozen are alive. They are six inches in length. The reason of such a small shipment was that they were too far advanced for the ordering of a large shipment being considered a safe undertaking. It is proposed to place the salmon in the Waiwakaiho River, and the trout in the following five rivers ;—Henui, Waiwakaiho, Mangaoraka, Waiongona, and Waitara. The New Zealand Herald, an Auckland paper, says:—“ The total value of imports, and exports for the September quarter to and from Auckland, as furnished by the Customs, will be found elsewhere, and therefrom we gather that the imports exceed the same quarter of 1877 by £68,956, while the exports therefrom show a decrease of £62,694. This decrease in the exports we regret, and would have liked to have seen it otherwise, but we believe that it is caused chiefly by the falling off in the produce of the goldfields. The total imports for the nine months ending September is £1,085,663, and exports £391,551, while for the same period of 1877 the imports were £929,786, and the exports £322,131, showing an increase in the imports for the three quarters of the present year of £155,877, and a decrease in exports of £130,580.” The Marlborough Express has the following: —“Poor, little bankrupt Marlborough,” was the phrase once used by Sir Jalias Vogel, and occasionally repeated by journalists who know no better. It is quite true that we are not a very quick, impulsive community, but wo can prove our solvency at any rate. The report of the Registrar of Lands for the year ending June, 1878, gives the following figures, which show that Marlborough of all the provinces alone has paid off a larger amount of mortgage money than has been borrowed. This is an incontestible proof that wo are a prosperous people:—

Total .. .. £3,329,679 £1,224,455 The total amount secured by mortgage in tho colony is £7,044,972, distributed as follows : Canterbury, £3,147,450 ; Otago, £1,632,028 j Wellington,£7Bo,lo9; Hawke’sßay, £691,658; Nelson, £161,862; Southland, £98,427; Marlborough, £67,163 ; Taranaki, £49,166 ; Westland, £35,729. Tho night of the 17 th was favorable for exhibiting the effect of the various designs chosen for illuminating the public buildings in the city. It was generally agreed that tho Bank of New Zealand shone pre-eminent,the amber star being very effective, and the frosted globes were also much admired. Our evening oontemporay the Post had what we understood to be a symbol of the evening star, that shone brilliantly down Lambton-quay. The New Zealand Insurance Company’s office was illuminated with the title of the company, a crown, and other devices, with good effect. The Custom House had the Royal Crown and initials (Y.K.) Lambtonquay was very brilliant, and in striking contrast to Willia-street, which, to the best of our knowledge, only boasted of one illumination, tho building being prettily decorated with lanterns and colored miniature lamps. The Imperial Opera House and Mr. James Smith’s To Aro House were brilliantly illuminated. Tho thanks of the public are due to the gentlemen who stretched a point in order to afford their fellowcitizens the pleasure of a pretty sight. Tho immigrants per City of Auckland were in great request on the West Coast of this island. Wellington was prepared to retain a lot of them ; Wanganui and Palmerston were also bidding, as tho following extract from tho Manaioatu Times will show. No doubt we shall shortly bear of other disinterested benevolent intentions by-and-by, but Napier objected to be deprived of her share of new chums, and we believe they were successfully “ run through ”: —“ When the news reached Palmerston of the mishap to the City of Auckland, his Worship the Mayor, with commendable promptitude, telegraphed to , the Government that he would be able to make provision for at least fifty families. A reply, however, was received from the Hon. Robert Stout to tho effect that as the immigrants were consigned to Napier, it was not in the power of the Government to forward them elsewhere. ‘ The best laid schemes of mico and men aft gang agleo,’ and conspirators, whether they be County Councillors or Colonial Treasurers, aro sometimes baulked in their little designs. At the meeting of the Wanganui County Council on Thursday night, in secret solemn eouciavo, the members not only voted fifty pounds as a douceur to induce the stranded immigrants to turn .their faces Wangantiiwarda, but despatched three of their best talking men as a deputation to the new chums. : Alas for tho sequel ! When the; ambassadors arrived at Poxton, they learned to their dismay that their prizes ware on their way to Wellington, and the chase, as tho Chronicle had predicted, im Vs jrfW gOO»

The Hon, C. J. Pharazyn, M.L.0., has presented to the Wellington Working Men’s Club the handsome sum of £2O. We understand that he expressed himself much pleased with the success which the club had mec with up to the present, and promised that should the institution require any assistance at a future time, if be were appealed to he would • endeavor to render it any service in his power. This generous action of Mr. Pharazyn speaks fqr itself, and needs no comment on our part. The club had to go to a very considerable expense in furnishing their new premises; but a few such gifts as that which we have now the pleasure of recording would soon enable the members to pay off outstanding debts and to call'all the furniture of the club their own property.

Quarter ended Sept. 30.1877. Corresponding Quarter, 1878. Auckland £53,225 £59,900 Wellington .. 44,839 57,527 Napier .. .. 9,310 .. 11,391 Nelson .. 0,923 .. 9.03S Hokitika 8.237 .. 0,350 Lyttelton .. 62,020 .. 62.990 Dunedin 89,278 .. 105,885 Invercargill 7,578 11,140

ms. 1877. ■Barley .. £2507 £1974 Mult .. .. 579 370 Oats 2017 Wheat .. 30,021 Totals .. .. £113,010 £10,332

Abstract of Schedule B. £ s. cl. Liabilities and engagements .. .. 115,440 0 0 Class I.—Public Departments .. 109,073 18 7 Class II,—Law and Justice.. 144 451 7 4 Class IIC.—Postal and telegraphic.. 245,139 0 0 Class IV.—Customs .. 40,0)0 13 1 Cl .S3 V.—Marino . 4S.359 14 10 Class VI.— Education 222 270 0 0 Class VII.—Native 32,230 15 0 Class WXL—Militia and Volunteers .. 50,178 12 0 Class IX.—Constabulary and Defence 144,904 0 0 Class X.—Railways 493,152 11 b Class XL—Public Domains and Buildinga 32,641 4 0 Class XII.—Crown Lands, Survey, and Goldfields 341,333 9 11 ClassXIIL—Miscellaneous, Special, and Temporary Objects .. 137,292 15 4 Class XIV.—Provincial Liabilities .. 237,257 14 2 Total £2,304, 003 15 8

Mortgages. Releases. Auckland .. £183,214 £116,723 Otago 193,354 Canterbury 3,482 349 430,920 Wellington .. 803.833 90.787 Nelson .. 11,327 Southland .. 381,093 282,666 Hawke's Bay .. ,, 809,039 68,246 Westland 14,301 5,435 Taranaki .. .. 16,662 10,790 Marlborough .. 6,742 8,243

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18781108.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5497, 8 November 1878, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
10,847

GENERAL NEWS. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5497, 8 November 1878, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5497, 8 November 1878, Page 2

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