GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5734, 15 August 1879, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

The proceedings of the New Zealand Parliament were on August 11th very brief and very formal. The Lower House was to have met at twelve o’clock, but did not assemble until a quarter of an hour after that time, when the Clerk of the House took the chair in the absence of the Speaker. At that time there were only about a dozen members in the House, and not a soul was in any of the galleries except the reporters and the orthodox number of policemen. Petitions were presented by Messrs Thomson, Manders, and Captain Morris, after which Sir George Grey read a message from his Excellency the Governor, in which he stated that he had assented to the Imprest Supply Act, 1879 ; the New Zealand Loan Act, 1879 ; the Maori Prisoners Act, 1879 ; and the Appropriation Act, 1879. The Premier then stated that Parliament would be prorogued by Commission, and he moved the adjournment of the House until one o’clock. At that hour, therefore, the members again met and proceeded to the Chamber of the Legislative Council, where Parliament was prorogued until the Ist of September next—the Commissioners being the Hon. the Speaker of the Council, Sir. F. Dillon Bell, and Colonel Whitmore. And so ended the fourth and last session of the sixth Parliament of New Zealand.

The Hon. Mr. Gisborne on August Bth stated that in future all male immigrants would be required to pay one quarter of their passage money before embarkation, but that no change for the present would take place in the system of bringing out female immigrants. The Government, in .their declining days, appear to have realised to the full extent the truth of the maxim which enjoins the making of hay whilst the sun shines. The two last Ommttea which have been published glitter with appointments and transferences in various parts of the colony ; and no less than eleven .fustices of the Peace were gazetted on August 7. There appears to be no scarcity of employment for labor in Taranaki. Prom the report of the Harbor Engineer we learn that over a hundred and fifty men are now employed on the works at the Sugar I.oaves, who are paid from 6s. to 7s. a day. The annual general meeting of the N.Z. Shipping Company on August 13 was largely attended. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The Chairman contradicted in the strongest terms the charges made by Sir Julius Vogel against the company, of not providing sufficient tonnage, and said the charges were without foundation. It was stated that fifty colonial apprentices were now in the company a ships. A dividend of 5 per cent, was declared, which, with 5 per cent, paid in February, makes 10 per cent, for the year, Messrs. C. W. Turner, W. Reeves, and the Hon. Mr. Richardson were elected as directors. A vote of thanks was passed to the directors, general manager and staff, and chairman. At subsequent'meetings of directors J. L. Coster was elected chairman, and H. P. Murray-Aynsley deputy-chairman for the year. A large native runanga-house which has recently been built at Kakirikiri, is about to be opened with some formality. The opening is to take place, we hear, to-morrow week, and a considerable gathering of natives will probably be in attendance. We learn that Sir W. Fox has presented the tribe who have erected the house with a handsome chandelier, to hang in the centre and enlighten their deliberations. A number of Europeans will probably be in attendance, as the opening ceremonials are to partake of the nature of a festive gathering after the pakeha style. The event is looked forward to with considerable interest by the various native tribes at the different settlements on the coast, all of which will doubtle-a be well represented. Invitations have been sent to a good many settlers in the adjacent districts, and a pleasant social meeting of the two races is anticipated. The usual meeting of the Benevolent Society was held at the Provincial BuildingsionTuesday afternoon. Present—Mr. J. G. Holdaworth (in the chairl, Veu. Archdeacon Stock, Revs. J. Paterson, E. Coffey, W. West, W. J- Williams, and Messrs. D. Lewis, J. E. Smith, L. Levy B. Smith, and the secretary and treasurer The minutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed. A large number of cases were relieved —almost twice the number of thosewho receivedaid the previous week; and some applications after investigation were refused. It was apparent to the committee that destitution was on the increase.

The steamer Patea took last week a further consignment of 500 stand of arms and 50 cases of ammunition for the Patea district.

Eleven Justices of the Peace were appointed on August 7th, amongst whim is Mr. Felix McGuire, Chairman of the Patea County Council.

Amongst the passengers by the Eingarooma, which arrived here on August 7th, was Mr. C. R. Carter, who has just returned from his trip to the old country. We understand, on reliable authority, that Mr. Carter intends to contest the Wairarapa district at the forthcoming election, and it is thought by a good manv of his friends that he has an excellent chance of being returned, as he is an old and generally respected settler. Besides, he has the advantage of being an old politician, having represented Wellington when Parliament sat in Auckland, and he was also a member of the Provincial Council for some time. Mr. Carter is what is termed a Liberal in politics, but he is not at all likely to take Sir George Grey for a model, if we have been correctly informed.

The late alterations have greatly improved the appearance of the old Odd Fellows’ Hall, and have transformed it into a veritable pretty little theatre, warm and genial to look upon, with good ventilation, and all the comfort to be found at a place of entertainment of this class. The circle upstairs has been nicely fitted up, and so extended to the front in a circular form that it will contain about 250 people. The back seats will contain about the same number, aud the chairs in front of the house will accommodate* some 200 more ; so that the sitting accommodation may be put down at 700. The front of the circle has been very handsomely decorated, aud an entirely new proscenium has been erected. The panelling at the back and sides of the circle has been made to resemble that in the other parts of the house, the whole of which has undergone a thorough course of renovation. A large quantity of new scenery has been painted, and every other requisite detail supplied, so that the Academy of Music may now be considered to be complete so far as dramatic and other representations are concerned. It will be opened for the season by Hudson’s Surprise Party of male and female minstrels on Saturday evening.

Another old colonist has passed away from amongst us, in the person of Mrs. McKenzie, relict of the late Mr. Hugh McKenzie, formerly of the Tuhitu Station, Wairarapa, who died at her residence early on Sunday morning, at the advanced age of 87. Mrs. McKenzie came to the colony with her husband during the year 1810, in the ship Blenheim, one of the first passenger vessels sent out by the New Zealand Company. The deceased lady leaves a large number of relatives and friends, and only survived her late husband about twelve or fifteen months. Tho late Mr. McKenzie also lived to a very advanced age. A fire occurred at the Lower Hutt on Friday night, a house in course of construction at Waiwetu being destroy ed. It appears that the building was almost finished, and Mr. Coleman, the contractor, had left it with his workmen at five o’clock on Friday evening. At 10 o’clock it was found to be on fire, and was shortly afterwards totally destroyed. Tho origin of the fire is a mystery, as the house was of course unoccupied. Mr. Coleman had a builder's risk for £2OO on it in the Northern Insurance Company, but states that his loss will still amount to about £3O. Six carpenters employed at the building have had all their tools destroyed, and Mr. Lewis, for whom the house was being built, will ho a considerable loser, as he had expended a large sum in decorations.

A presentation was made on Saturday afternoon to Mr. W. H. Benner, by the cadets of the Telegraph Department, the presentation taking the form of two handsomely bound volumes, one on “ Nature,' by a celebrated French author, and the other, “ Selections from Sacred Poems,” Hr. Benner, who is the cadet instructor, has shown himself to be a very efficient, as well as a very impartial instructor. Mr. Benner replied in a very able manner, and thanked the cadets very warmly for the way in which they had shown their respect for him. With regard to the alleged poisoning of the Maori prisoners, we are enabled to state positively the true facts of the case, which are simply these : —On Tuesday last, thirty of the prisoners were bad with diarrhoea, and Dr. Diver, surgeon to the prison, prepared a large bottle of medicine, containing thirty-four fluid ounces, or about sixty-eight doses, and left it with his orderly to administer to those who were on the sick list, which was accordingly done, with great benefit to the sufferers, who recovered in a very short time. Late on the following day three or four prisoners, who had not been attacked with the disease, had their curiosity aroused by a sight of the bottle, and asked the orderly what the medicine was, to which he replied that it was for curing diarrhova. They immediately pretended to be ill, and asked for some of the physic, which was given to them. A short time after taking it, they felt a little queer and, by a rough-and-ready practice peculiar to these followers of Te Whiti, they tried to produce vomiting to relieve themselves from the qualmishness under which they were suffering. Mr. McMillan, the gaolor, seeing this, immediately procured some mustard and water, to be used as an emetic, which had the effect of making the men believe that the medicine had been given for the purpose of poisoning them, and they were very loud in their complaints to the doctor’s orderly. A messenger was in consequence sent for Dr. Diver, who immediately went to the prison, examined the men, and, finding there was nothing whatever the matter, he did not deem it necessary to remain more than a few minutes. The doctor being under the impression that the diarrhoea among the prisoners was caused through eating a quantity of mussels, and over-eating generally, he made a complaint to that effect to Mr. James Mackay, Native Commissioner, who at once gave orders for the supplies brought by the friends of the prisoners to be discontinued. These are the plain facts of the case, and are vouched for by Mr. Mackay. Those who know much about the natives can easily perceive how the whole affair occurred. They have a peculiar fondness for medicine —when it can he had for the asking ; and medical men, who have been appointed by the Government in the native districts, have often been heard to assert that their remuneration would be totally insufficient to procure physic for half the population, if they were to comply with all the demands made for what the Maoris consider a cheap luxury.

The body of a man was found on the beach at the back of Mr. Robertson’s foundry on Saturday morning, by Mr. Joseph Rogers. The police were at once communicated with, and the body was taken to the morgue, where it was identified as that of an Italian named Antonio Matachora, who had been missing from home for about three weeks. The body was found to be in an advanced stage of decompusition. The watch of the deceased, together with £1 11s. 7d., was found upon the corpse. An inquest was held later in the day before Dr. Johnston, coroner, and a verdict of found drowned was returned. Deceased was sixty- w

three years of age, and was a native of Naples. He was last seen alive three weeks ago in Manners-street, and it is supposed he fell into the water while intoxicated. He leaves a widow and family of children. The Bruce Herald makes the following comments on the manner in which the Kaitangata Relief Fund is administered:—“Were it not for the very best and unquestionable authority, we might hesitate before making the following brief assertions regarding the management, or rather * mismanagement ’ of the Kaitangata Relief Fund. It will hardly be credited that the largest weekly payment ‘ doled out’ to any of the families of the unfortunate miners who were killed, is 30s. for a family of eight; and that a good many of the children have got so low in the articles of their wardrobe, that they are actually unable to sufficiently protect themselves against the wet and cold. This is, however, the solemn truth, and such is the miserable and deplorable result obtained, after a princely anm of £15,000 has been placed at the disposal of the committee for the relief of the widows and orphans. We are utterly unable to find words sufficiently expressive of the disgust and disappointment we feel, and which we doubt not will be readily shared by hundreds who may learn these facts. We may add that three highly respectable gentlemen, residing in the neighborhood of Kaitangata, are instituting a private inquiry into the various eases, and in due course the public will hear the result of their labors,”

It was reported in Feilding on Saturday (says the Rangitikei Advocate) that a suicide had taken place at Kiwitea. The unfortunate man, whose name we could not ascertain, was one of three brothers, and had been suffering from some form of fever. His state was such that he required watching, but managed to get away during the night, and next morning his body was found in an adjacent creek. An effort is being made in Halcombs to raise a fixed sum toward the maintenance of a Presbyterian minister. His field of labor wil probably be between Feilding and Halcombe.

The first examination for the seven scholarships offered by the Board of Education will be held at Wellington and Greytown on the 27th of the present month. These scholarships are tenable for two years, and the examination •will be open to all boys, whether attending public schools or not, who may happen to be under 15 years’ of age. Full particulars relative to the amounts of the scholarships, the mode of examination, &c„ are given in our advertising columns.

The Port Nicholson Club, in Lambton-quay, adjoining Mr. James’ furniture warehouse, had a narrow escape from fire on the evening of August 3rd. About 7 o’clock the house steward went to his room to change clothes, and found the apartment enveloped in smoke. A messenger was sent to the Central Fire Brigade Station, and Captain Moss, with a few members of the brigade, quickly arrived, when they discovered that the fire had originated between the lining and the ceiling boards, some of the latter being much charred. Captain Moss ordered the men to take their axes and rip up the flooring, and by this means prevented the fire from further spreading. There is a small hose in the building, but as the spot from whence the smoke was issuing could not be seen, the hose was useless. There is no fire place in the room where the fire occurred, and it is supposed that rats must have been the cause of what might have been a serious conflagration, had it not been for tha timely arrival of Captain Moss and his men.

The Land Act, 1877, Amendment Bill, introduced by the Hon. Mr. Thomson, Minister for Lands, provides that rural land may be sold for 30s. per acre, and suburban land at 90s. per acre, provision being made for an increase in price if deemed necessary. Small sections may be grouped into an allotment provided the sections are contiguous, but no sections may be subdivided. If there should be any fencing, buildings, or other improvements on land thrown open for deferred payment, the selector will have to pay the assessed value of such improvements. Payments for pastoral lands are to be treated as ordinary revenue. Power is given to the Governor to set aside land by proclamation as village settlements, the highest area to be 45 acres, a leasing clause being also inserted for such settlements. Sections 122 and 134 are amended, so as to provide that a half-year’s rent for runs shall be paid in advance, instead of for one year, as defined in the Land Act of 1877.

The vital statistics for the month of July are as follows :—Births 87, deaths 22, marriage certificates 2!).

The number of patients admitted to the Wellington Hospital during the month of July amounted to 33 ; discharged, 23 ; died, 4 ; left in the Hospital, 77.

Tenders are invited by Mr. T. Turnbull, architect, for the erection of the new church in Taranaki-street for the Wesleyan body. Dr. Hector, Chairman of the New Zealand Commissioners appointed in connection with the Sydney International Exhibition, and Mr. Callis, the secretary, left by the steamer Wakatipu for Sydney on August sth. A large quantity of exhibits has been forwarded, and the remainder of those in the central depot, at St. George’s Hall, will be taken on by the Wakatipu. Xu the absence of Dr. Hector and Mr. Callis, their places will be filled by Mr. W. H. Levin, who will act as chairman, and by Mr. B. B. Gore, Colonial Museum, who will act as secretary. The following telegram from the Secretary of the International Commission, Sydney, has been received by Dr. Hector :—“ Entries for the sheep show must be in the hands of the secretary by the 30th August, as the opening of the sheep show is fixed for Tuesday, 30th September. Sheep coming from other colonies must be in Sydney 21 days before the opening, so as to be under the supervision of the Chief Inspector of Stock, but in charge of their own attendants.” It is not probable, however, that sheep will be sent from New Zealand, as breeders appear inclined to think that the risk is rather too much, and the expense entailed would be also very considerable.

A robbery of a daring character was perpetrated at Barrett’s Hotel on the night of the 31st, Mr. D. McGregor, of Normanby, being relieved of 22 Bank of New Zealand notes, which he had in a pocket-book inside of a satchel, the latter having been put on the bed when Mr. McGregor retired to rest. The thief had therefore boldly entered the room when Mr. McGregor was asleep, and taken the money. The detectives have the matter in hand.

The following promotions and appointments are duly gazetted : —New Zealand Begiment of Artillery,—Major Edward Pearce (New Zealand Militia) to be Lieutenant-Colonel; Captain John Herbert Burns (A Battery) to,be Major ; Captain Archibald Hill-Jack (B Battery, to be Major. Kaiwarrawarra Eifle "Volunteers.—Donald Douglas Cameron to be Lieutenant ; James ' Henry Overend to be Sub-Lieutenant. Wanganui City Bifle Volunteers.—Herbert Thomas Hasley Knight to be Captain; George William Cole to be Honorary Assistant Surgeon. The services of the Wanganui City Eifles have been accepted. The monthly parade of the Naval Brigade took place on July 31st. There was a very large muster, no less than 170 having turned eut, exclutive of the officers present. In the absence of Major Stack, through indisposition, the company was inspected by Captain Johnson. A number of the officersEmerald were present, and expressed themselves highly pleased with the appearance of the Brigade, and the proficiency they had attained in drill. After going through some exercises in the Arcade, the men marched up to Thorndon, headed by the band, and when passing the Native Minister's residence, they were highly complimented by that gentleman, as also by Colonel Whitmore, the Defence Minister,

The following appointments hare been made :—Messrs. Ebenezer Baker, Wairoa ; William Booth, Carterton; Burton Boys, Taratahi; G. H. Lister-Kaye, East Taratahi—to be Justices of the Peace ; W. P. James, of Dunedin, to be clerk of the District Court and R.M. Court at Wellington, vice Mr. Baker, resigned ; J. Le Marchant Carey to be assistant clerk in the E.M. Court, vice W. Maltravers, transferred ; E. Gruner, to be deputy registrar at Tauranga ; Sergeant James Donnelly, to be gaoler at Gisborne ; W. 0. C. Spencer to be assistant- the Survey Department. There was a very large attendance at T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s Exchange Land Mart on July 31st, when the firm offered for sale the valuable property in the estate-of M. McCredie. The prices realised-may be considered fair, and the bidding at times was most spirited. The following is a list of purchases with amount paid for each property :—Lot 1. The stock of ironmongery, &c., in the shop lately occupied by Mr. McCredie, Mr. F. A. Krull, £IBOO. Lot 2. Two shops on Lambtonquay, built on an allotment with a frontage of 25 feet, Mr. L. Levy, £1125. Lot 3. Dwel-ling-house in Webb-street, on an allotment with a frontage of 85 feet, Mr. G. V. Shannon, £750, Lot 4. Three sections in Awahuri, Mr. E. W. Mills, £42. Lot 5. The shops lately occupied by Mr. McCredie and Mr. Deveril, known as the Club premises, Mr. Krull, £6138. Total, £9855. The Baptist denomination, who have been meeting for some time past in the Foresters Hall, Lambton-quay, are taking steps to erect a church of their own. They have secured a “piece of ground in Vivian-street, between Tory and Taranaki streets, and the plan of the building is in course of preparation. Since the arrival of the Rev. Mr. Hinton the Church members have increased, and the rev. gentleman has proved himself a zealous and able minister, and his influence, both within the pale of his own and other denominations, is said to have been very beneficial. We are informed that a social tea and public meeting will be held next weak in connection with this new church project. The half-yearly meeting of the Colonial Bank took place at Dunedin on July 30, Mr. McLean, M.H.R., in the chair. The report was moved by the chairman, and seconded by Mr. O. S. Reeves, and carried, as was also a vote of thanks to the directors and the officials. An amendment to the latter vote was moved by a Mr. Johnston, but it found no seconder. He wanted to know whether the bank was run for the benefit of shareholders, or for philanthropic objects, the dividends averaging for four years only 13s. 4d. per cent.

From the Gazette published on July 25th we learn that the postal revenue for the financial year ending June 30 has increased from £113,358 to £129,906. The land revenue for the quarter amounted to £103,843, of which £51,046 were derived from land sales. The railway receipts were for the quarter £234,974. The total receipts, including the public works account, amounted to £2,716,859 for the quarter. The expenditure for the peiiod was £1,972,567. During the recent floods the chief of a newspaper office not so very far from Christchurch telegraphed to one of his up-country agents, “ Wire full accounts of floods in your district.” The answer came back promptly, “ Localise Genesis vii., verses 21 t 0.23, and you have our position exactly.” It was done too, and a considerable expense saved to the paper in question. Store up the idea for a' future occasion, is the advice of the “ Loafer in the Street,” who tells the story.

Babbits have made their appearance near Marton, in the Kangitikei district ; and a meeting has been convened in Palmerston, for the purpose of taking steps to stay the ravages of the pest in that neighborhood. _ - One of the latest monstrosities recorded is a calf without legs. This lusus natural was calved on the farm of Messrs. Bathe and Davis, at Springvale, near Wanganui. The owners intend having it staffed and sent to the Sydney Exhibition.

Some of the mills in Carterton, which had only been working half time, and others which had ceased work altogether, have again resumed full operations. Let us hope (says the Standard) that this is an indication of the dawn of happier times. The Manawatu Herald, of July 11, says : “ Mr. S. M. Baker informs us that a day or two ago he travelled inland from Otaki to Waikawa. At the Waikawa end he noticed a considerable number of men engaged upon the inland road, felling bush, forming, &c. A number of Europeans are engaged upon the work, although the contract has been let to the hapu owning the land through which the road passes, according to the agreement made with the natives. Mr. Baker speaks of the land along the line of road as extremely rich.”

A meeting was held in Feilding recently for the purpose of establishing a Working Men’s Club. Mr Halcombe expressed the gratification he felt at seeing them so unanimous. He wished to state that though the title was the Working Men’s Club, there would bo no distinction made. All in Feilding were working men. He was a working man himself, and hoped to avail himself of the advantages and profits the club would afford. The chairman announced that 181 shares had been taken up in the room, which was received with applause by those present. It is proposed to have a capital of £2OOO, in 2000 shares-of £1 each.

Drunkenness is always a bad thing to define, especially by the person who has been under the influence of the “ rosy god.” Tuta Nihoniho, a young chief from Poverty Bay, who was a witness for the Crown against Brodie, at the Supreme Court on July 23rd, was asked by Mr. Buckley whether he had been drunk on a certain occasion. Tuta replied in an off-hand sort of a way, that he was not, — that he was only jolly, and that he had all his senses about him. This did not satisfy the legal gentleman, who replied with some more questions, to which Tuta replied that he was not “teetotally drunk.” Mr. Buckley did not further press the matter —he retired quite satisfied.

Mr. Wakefield in his speech on July 23rd said that Ministers had a special liking for travelling at express speed. In.the Middle Island for instance private persons were positively afraid to cross a railway for fear of being run over by a special train carrying a Minister. He gave instances of extraordinary extravagance in this direction ; among others, a case where both a special and express train had been .used by the Minister of Public Works. In regard to the Hon. Mr. Sheehan the railway officials had absolutely declined to stand it any longer, and had refused to allow the Native Minister to travel any further unless he paid £BO for his passage money. He considered that the hon. gentleman was exceedingly lucky to be travelling with so much money in his pocket upon the occasion.

The Auckland city school committees have issued printed notices, warning parents that the compulsory provisions of the Act having been brought into operation, parents will be prosecuted for the non-attendance of their children at school.

A lake has been discovered at White Island which contains a solution of hydrochloric acid, and a white small stream which runs into it is strongly impregnated with sulphuric acid. These acids are potent solvents, and once their discovery is made known, means of turning them to profitable account will soon be found. Those valuable chemical waters were employed in the manufacture of bonedust, and the result has been most satisfactory. There is now in town a small box of the product, which is of the consistency of flour. It is almost odorless, and contains all the ingredients which render it a marketable commodity. Albert White, the Auckland champion sculler, has gone over to Sydney. He will have a boat built there to compete with Australian oarsmen.

Kereopa, a notorious ruffian from Waitotara, who some little time ago threatened some of the settlers that if they came on a certain piece of laud he would serve them in the same manner as Hiroki had served McLean, was brought before the Besident Magistrate. The case lasted two days. He was committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court to be held in Wanganui. Bail was allowed—himself in £IOOO, and two sureties in £IOOO ; but no bail being forthcoming, he was sent to gaol. Mr. Gully sends a magnificent collection of eight water-color paintings to the Sydney Exhibition. One, representing a winter sunset on Lake Wakatipu, is generally allowed to be his masterpiece ; the others are scenery on the Christohurch-Hokitika-road, and one of Milford Sound.

A remarkable schism has arisen in the Episcopal Church at Ashburton. Offence has been taken at a gilt cross erected over the communion table, and a petition has been signed requesting the incumbent to remove it. The Rev. W. T. Page declines, and a parish meeting ostensibly to consider finances, but really to discuss the objectionable embellishment, has been convened. On Sunday evening the pastor anticipated the controversy, by preaching a vigorous sermon from Isaiah, in which he defended the cross, and exhorted its assailants in a fatherly manner. The Hon. R. Campbell, Oamaru, has sold his station, consisting of 33,000 acres freehold, 48,000 acres leasehold, and 40,000 sheep, for £IOO,OOO to Mr. John Douglas, of Mount Royal.

Captain Alexander McKinnon, well-known as the former owner of the s.s. Albion, was found dead on the morning of July 18th near his residence at Port Chalmers. He is supposed to have fallen down and stunned himself, and then to have perished from the effects of eold and exposure. As the ship Benares was being towed out of Port Chalmers on July 21st she struck on the bar, and the tow-rope getting adrift from the p.s. Koputai she canted broadside on between the north and south channels. An effort was made to tow her out stern foremost, which failed, and after dragging away at her for four hours the tug returned to port for assistance. At 2.10 a.m. next day she was dragged into deep water, and taken up to the powder ground, where she anchored at 3.20 p.m. Eighteen inches of water were found in the well, and since then she has been making from six to seven incnes per hour. Gangs of men have been sent off to relieve the crew. She will have to be discharged and docked. An enquiry commenced before the Collector of Customs in the afternoon. The evidence went to show that the accident occurred through those on the tug letting go the hawser.

On Saturday, July 19, the first sessional Tress dinner took place at the Occidental Hotel. About twenty-five gentlemen sat down, Mr. Gillon occupying the chair, and Mr. CrombieBrown the vice-chair. To this latter gentleman is due the credit of first bringing forward the idea of a Press dinner, and to Mr. Gillon the credit of having worked it up and brought it to a successful issue. Among the company, which numbered Pressmen from every part of the colony, were the Hon. J. Sheehan, and Messrs. Feldwick, Rees, Manders, Beeves, and Moss, M.H.E.’s. The dinner reflected great credit upon Mr. Inglis, and was one of the best spreads ever got up in this city. The toast list was by no means a formal oae, as the object of the gathering was that it should be as much as possible a social reunion, such as would tend to make those present better acquainted with each other. Among the other suggestions thrown out was one by the Hon. J. Sheehan, that a New Zealand Press Society should be formed, for the purpose of improving the tone of the Press, and for assisting Press men. Another suggestion thrown out was that bon. members should not rise to speak after midnight, if they wished to see their speeches in print—and the observation seemed to meet with general approbation. The proceedings terminated shortly after eleven o’clock. It is proposed to hold a similar dinner at the end of the session, and to make these reunions an annual occurrence.

It is not, perhaps, generally known to a good many persons, especially to those who hail from the North of Europe, to whom such a fact will be welcome intelligence, that the members of the Scandinavian Society have a nice club-room in Taranaki-street, which is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. There is a good library, and the principal newspapers of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, are regularly provided. There is a singing class once a week, and a theatrical performance is also given by the members once a fortnight. We learn that Mr. Charles McMurdo, chief agent in the Government Insurance Department, has been dismissed for some irregularity in the discharge of his duties, and his place has been filled by Mr. Clapcott, who has been transferred from Auckland.

There is a Bonanza on a small scale near Hyde in Otago. The further Mr. Holverson gets into his claim (says the Mount Ida Chronicle) the greater the amount of treasure it yields. Last week, when the first day’s operations were commenced, 30oz. was the result, the second day 480 z., the third day (Friday) 900 z., and on Saturday last 1200 z., working from five to six hours each day. At a meeting of the building committee of St. Peter’s Church, it was stated that a lady member of the congregation had offered to present stained glass windows to the new church, and another lady had also offered to provide some portion of the church or its accessories, as memorials to departed relatives. Both offers were cordially accepted. The Kev. Mr. DeOastro was appointed treasurer instead of Archdeacon Stock, who resigned the position,! Mr. W. B. Thompson, a builder at Greytown, sustained a nasty accident, through a nail which he was driving flying back and hitting him in the eye, tearing it in such a manner that the ball of the eye was literally hanging out of its socket. It is feared that the sight will not be restored to the injured eye, and that the accident will also seriously affect the other one.

In recording a gift of books to the Palmerston Public Library the Manawatu Times publishes the following interesting sketch : “ Independently of the intrinsic value of the works presented, the volumes contributed by Mr. Monrad have a history attached to them which will make them an interesting souvenir of an eventful period in the past of Manawatu. As it is well known, Mr. Monrad is one of the oldest settlers in the country, and about twelve years ago the natives in the vicinity of JKarere were not quite so reconciled to the influx of Europeans as they are at present. It was rumored that a party of Hauhaus had visited the neighborhood with the view of exterminating the white settlers, and acting upon advice Mr. Monrad abandoned his house, and betook himself and family lower down to a place of greater safety. Most of the household effects were left behind, but possessing a large and valuable library, containing works brought from Europe, before his desertion of his home Mr. Monrad had bis books placed in boxes and buried, so that in the event of an attack and the burning of the homestead those prized treasures would be saved from the wreck. A considerable portion of the donation to the library is composed of those recovered after the danger had passed, and although they were not improved by their sepulture they are by no means in a condition to warrant a guess that they had passed through so trying an ordeal.”

Makahi, one of the natives convicted at New Plymouth for damaging Mr. Jury's land, delivered the following speech at the conclusion of the trial :—“ Te Whiti owns the land, and no one has a right to interfere with him. Te Whiti has a right to order us to do what we were doing. I believe that Te Whiti is the ruling spirit over us all ; he always was, and always will be, that is the reason why we obey him. Te Whiti has talked with Mr. Mackay before over this affair, and he wished to have the fight out with the Governor. What evil there is in it, let it fall on Te Whiti. At each different place the natives have been taken up they have not used any violence. Te Whiti told Mr. Mackay that the evil should fall upon him (Te Whiti), and no one else.” ■ An amusing instance of juvenile humor has- come under our notice (says the Auckland Herald), which occurred in a certain church in this city on Sunday last. A lady who was present with her two children, was devoutly engaged in the Litany service. The boy, whose orthodox behavior is unquestionable, uttered the responses with commendable accuracy and fervor. The clergyman came to one particular clause, and on the boy responding, “ We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord,” his little sister of five summers, who had been to see the opera of “ H.M.S. Pinafore,” looked up and said with great emprcsscmenf, “ And so does our uncles, our cousins, and our aunts.” The effect was literally electrical—that is to say, the paroxysms of suppressed laughter and spasmodic shaking of those in the vicinity resembled the result produced by a series of galvanic shocks. Fortunately this impromptu addition to the church service was not audible to the clergyman or even his gravity might have been upset. The Oamaru Mail says :—“ We learn from a gentleman who has just arrived in town from the Upper Waitaki that the quantity of snow lying on the Otekaike Buns, Hakateramea Banges, and the Mackenzie Country, is almost beyond belief. The shepherds connected with the various stations in those neighborhoods are actively engaged in getting the she<“p under their care out of the drifts, and removing them to the lower grounds. Thera are serious reasons for believing that the loss in stock will be very great, and if the warm weather we are now experiencing extends into the interior we may anticipate a recurrence of the great floods of last season.”

Late last evening (says the Bruce Standard of the 23rd), a messenger arrived at this office with intelligence of great excitement at Adam’s Flat, from which place he had just arrived. The ground in that neighborhood and of the Woolshed, on both sides of the old road to Waitahuna and Tuapeka.'was being pegged out in every direction by well known men from Lawrence and the immediate vicinity. Morrison and Co., of Blue Spur, had taken up a claim of 20 acres. Others were Kilner and party, Dowdeu and party, Reid and party, and Climer and party, with many others. There must have been at least 60 men already on the ground, and the utmost excitement prevailed. It seems that the first discovery of the cement (which is the object of the search) being payable was made about a week since, but by whom we could not ascertain. A party, of whom one is said to be Mr. Kilder, a well-known digger, are already some feet down a prospecting shaft, and are said to have struck the cement at six feet. From that downwards the depth of the gold-bearing stratum seems to be illimitable—at all events it is unknown. It is thought by experienced miners that it only finishes on the bed-rock, which in the basin is at a great depth below the surface. The Government had already sunk a shaft to the depth of 80 feet, with gold the whole distance, but this was sometime since left unfinished for some reason or other. A specimen of the material already obtained can be seen at this office. It is said to be highly auriferous. This discovery will doubtless have the most important results, and will materially affect the prosperity of this town and neighborhood. We are indebted for much of the above information to Mr. Hitchen, of Adam’s Flat post office. The Maori house, intended for the Sydney Exhibition, arrived by the Government steamer Stellaon Wednesday, July 30th, from Tauranga. Itisprincipally made from totara, and the carving was commenced about thirty years ago by the Arawa tribe. After a lapse of some time, the house was finally finished five years ago, and so great was the interest felt in it, that about a thousand Maoris were present at the opening. The building is about 75ft. in length, and will prove a great curiosity in the New Zealand Court.

The Wanganui Herald thus details the objects of a projected Small Farm Association : —“ The promoters of the association have in view an application to the Government for a portion of a block of land lately acquired from the natives, and lying between the' Turakiua and Rangitikei rivers. The block in question is 156,000 acres in extent, and it is said that much of it is available for small farm settlement. There is a good deal of light bush, with large open flats, the bulk of it being heavy bush. It can be approached either by the Turakina Valley-toad, from Bonny Glen, or from Marton, When a sufficient number of names have been obtained,- the application will be forwarded, and the assistance of the members know to be friendly to small farm settlements requested.” On July 26th three lads were out fishing near the Heads, and on their return to town in the evening they reported at the police station that they had seen the body of a man ashore at Happy Valley, about seven miles from town. Sergeant Anderson at once despatched two constables, with an express, to bring the corpse in, and the vehicle returned to town about 2 a.m. next morning, the body being taken to the morgue. During the day it was seen and identified as one of the missing Italian fishermen, who left town in their boat last week, and who had been supposed to be lost. The finding of this body therefore confirms the supposition of their having been drowned. An inquest was held at the Morgue on Monday, before Dr. Johnston, coroner, upon the body of Nicholas Panu. A verdict of found drowned was returned. Deceased was twenty-three years of age. There is now no reason to doubt that his companion on the illstarred trip (a Greek named Michael Maddeon) has also been drowned.

A shocking accident occurred on the Southern railway on July 29th, a woman having beenkilled by the train near the railwaybridge, at Henley. The woman appeared to be middle-aged. One of her legs was severed from the body, and carried a distance of nearly a chain. The body was conveyed to the Dunedin hospital, where an inquest will* be held.

The expenditure for native purposes for the year ending June 30 amounted to £9484. Of this sum £3306 was spent in pensions, £2171 in food and clothing, £699 on medical attendance and medicine, and £1440 on gratuities and contributions.' Mr. Sheehan draws his salary as Minister of Justice, £1230, though most of his time is occupied in native affairs. The establishment of the General Government cost £9632 ; the Judges, including the Chief Justice, received £7618 ; and the several Governors who have occupied the position during the year received altogether £4819. The total Civil list, includipg about £IOOO of liabilities of 1877-78, amounted to £31,554. The Union Sash and Door Company declared a dividend of fifteen per cent., and carried £3236 to reserve fund. The first prosecution under the compulsory clauses of the Education Act took place at Auckland on August Ist at the Police Court, The Bench warned the offenders that the full penalty will be imposed for future infractions of the law. A number of Canterbury settlers have left to take land in the Kaipara District in consequence of finding good land much cheaper than in Canterbury. A project has been mooted to construct a line of railway from Napier to Wallingford, branching from the Napier-Kopua line at Hastings. It would be about 50 miles in length, and would coat something like £25,000, It is proposed to ask the Government to provide capital out of the loan, and rate the property owners for the interest. The proposed line would open up some magnificent country, and increase the value of a large area of Government land. The vital statistics for Christchurch and district for July show the births in the city to be 59 ; and district, 159. Deaths, city, 28 ; district, 46. A blast of nearly a ton and threequarters of powder was fired at Port Lyttelton on August Sth. It is estimated that nearly fifteen thousand tons of rock were deluged. The ceremony of presenting degrees of B.A. in connection with the New Zealand University took place at Christchurch in the late Provincial Council Chamber, There was a large attendance of visitors, principally ladies, and also of undergraduates of the Canterbury College. The recipients were Messrs. Ered. Fitchett and Jas. Hay, both belonging to the Canterbury College. The former is a Bowen prize-taker, senior scholar and third year scholar ; and the latter is a minor scholar, senior sholar and third year scholar. The Bev. C. Eraser, at the request of the Chancellor and Senate, presented the degrees to the recipients, who were presented for them by Professor Von Haast, chairman of the Professorial Council. After the presentation the Bev. Mr. Eraser delivered an address, urging the great advantage derivable from University training, and also expressing a hope that the University would be able to get a building so eminently calculated for the purposes of a University as the late Provincial Council Chamber.

Daring the month of July forty-eight births, twenty deaths, arid seven marriages have been registered in Timaru. The quarterly educational returns for Timaru show 2833 children on the rolls, as against 2602 for last quarter. Three new schools have been opened. From Timaru on August 2nd we learn that the search party that went out after Smith and Morrison, missing from Eollesby Station, tracked them to a deep gully, where a number of dead sheep were lying, some with their throats cut. An avalanche of snow had recently taken place, and there is little doubt but the unfortunate men were buried by it while trying to extricate the sheep. As the snow is from twenty to thirty feet deep it will be many months before it melts, and enable a further search to be made. The dogs of the missing man from the Eollesby station have been dug up dead. An accident has occurred in the thirty-eight chain tunnel on the Oamaru waterworks. The scaffolding gave way, and the roof of the tunnel fell, burying three men. One was taken out alive, but seriously injured. The other two were smothered to death.

One hundred and forty-one applications from Otago have been received to date for space at the Exhibition in Sydney. Two hundred and thirty-nine immigrants arrived at Port Chalmers during the mouth of June. The departures were 94. The land revenue for Otago proper for July amounts to £4198 ; deferred payment i evenue, to £1234.

The annual report to be submitted at the New Zealand Shipping Company’s annual meeting shows a profit on the year’s transactions of £31,316, including £1383 balance brought forward from last year. Of this, £15,000 is to be appropriated to the reserve fund, which will bring it up to £55,000 ; £6250 to a further dividend of 6 per cent., making £12,500 in all ; and the balance of £5200 will be carried forward. The directors’ report shows that there was a loss on the charter of the Stad Haarlem, half of which has to be borne by the company. We understand that a charter under the Scotch Constitution has been granted for the formation of a new lodge of Freemasons at Masterton. The lodge will be named the Waitarapa Kilwinning, and so far as we can learn, the projected new lodge is likely to be very successful. A number of the leading members of the Masterton Lodge, E.C., 1430, who originally belonged to the Scotch Constitution, have signified their intention of leaving the old lodge, and joining the new one. Mr. A. D. Cowan, who is well known as an enthusiastic member of the craft, has been elected first Master, and will be assisted by officors all well known in the local Masonic circle. The installation will take place in a few Meeks. A large number of brethren belonging to Wellington and at present residing in this city, have signified their intention of being present on the occasion. The charter has been seemed through Mr. E. T. Gillon, of this city. Whilst Mr. Piers Warburton, who resides near Palmerston, was paying a visit to the Bank of Australasia, in that town, he tied his horse to one of the posts outside. In the meantime, a young fellow named George Thompson mounted the animal and decamped with it. Constable Gillespie pursued him, and after four or five miles’ riding succeeded in effecting a capture, but not until he had overthrown the fellow, and given him a few slight knocks with the handcuffs, which the constable had thoughtfully taken with him. Thompson has been committed for trial, and sent to the gaol at Wanganui. The prospectus of the Feilding Club and Temperance Hotel Company, which has been forwarded to us, states that the “ company is being formed for the purpose of establishing a hotel in Feilding, which, while not supplying intoxicating drinks in any shape, shall rival or excel in accommodation and attractiveness the establishments in the hands of the licensed victuallers. The chief feature in the undertaking is, that it is intended to take the place of a club, for the use of the townspeople as well as of strangers ; and that reading rooms, with newspapers and periodicals, also chess, draughts, and similar games, will be provided.” The capital will be £2OOO, in 2000 shares of £1 each.

The following letter has been received by Mr. E, Smith, of the Pahautanui Hotel, from Mr. J. McCulloch, of the Upper Hutt, in reference to the missing man, who was lost in the bush on the Hutt side of the ranges, last week :—“Please inform the search party that the missing man was found on Wednesday, all right. As he was unable to ford the river, he remained on the other side from Saturday night till Wednesday. When found, he was in a half-perishing condition, but is now recovering.” As soon as the fact became known in Pahautanui that the man was missing, some of the settlers with praiseworthy zeal, turned out to search the ranges between that district and the Hutt. They were so far successful as to come upon some tracks which they believe to have been left by the missing man, and they also discovered his name carved upon a chim-ney-slab in an old deserted clearing between Pahautanui and the Hutt. Much credit is due to the settlers not alone on the Pahautanui side, but also to those in the Upper Hutt district, for the manner in which they came to the rescue, as the poor fellow would inevitably have perished had it not been for the timely assistance rendered.

The cylinders in the Tauherinikau River are now completed, and the engine removed to the Waiohine River at Woodside, where four additional cylinders are to be added to the bridge about to be commenced, an important addition suggested (the Standard presumes) by the deputation which called the Government’s attention to this subject. The temporary wooden bridge will have to be lengthened to assist in the work. The wooden bridge is now being removed from the Tauherinikau as no longer needed, but in the way of completing the bridge at that river. A veiy successful entertainment was given on August 4th at Wainuiomata, to provide prizes for the children attending the school. Mr. Duncan Sinclair recited a poem of his own composition on “The Glories of War,” which was much appreciated. At Fairfax, Alice Groves, a child sixteen months old, was choked by a piece of bread.

The Colonial Bank has declared a dividend of 8 per cent., and carried £3OOO to the reserve fund, which now stands at £45,000. The following sums have been received towards the establishment of a destitute home for women : Collected by Miss Greenwood, £2 15s. ; by Mrs. Olliver, £3 ss. ; by Mrs. Armstrong, £lO 18s.; by Mrs. W. B. Williams, £27 11a.; by Mrs. Lindsay, £5 os. 6d.; by Mrs. Maxwell, £3 10s. ; a friend (by Mrs. Drake), £6; Mr. B. Smith, £1; Sirs. West, 55.; total, £6O 4s. 6d. The funeral of Mr. William Miller took place on the sth of August and was followed by a large number of relatives and friends, the Bev. J. Moir officiating at the grave. Mr. Miller was one of the early settlers, having arrived in Port Nicholson in the ship Blenheim in December, 1840, and underwent all the vicissitudes and hardships incidental to the colonisation of a new country. The deceased was proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, Willis-street, which he conducted for a number of years; but latterly retired from business, and took up his residence in Nelson-street, Te Aro. Mr. Miller was father to Mr. Robert Miller, now a member of the City Council; and in the early days the deceased occupied-a seat at the Town Board. The old settlers are falling out of the ranks one by one, and in a few years more there will be none left to relate their adventures in the early days of the colony. Mr. Manders, M.H.K. for the Lakes, has set a good example to other hon. members. He stated in the course of his speech the other evening that he for one was not afraid to go to his constituents “on principle,” and that if they chose to reject him he would be quite content, in pursuance of that principle, to direct his attention to some other pursuit; and the hon. gentleman even went so far as to inform an admiring audience that he would be prepared to shoulder his pick and shovel if nothing better turned up. We have heard that but one step separates the sublime from the ridiculous, but this is the first time we ever thoroughly appreciated the narrowness of the chasm which separates the Parliamentary honorarium from those wages which are the reward of honest and perspiring toil. We have received a copy of the report on the proposed railways in the northern districts of the Middle Island, prepared by Mr. Blair, Engineer-in-oharge of the Middle Island. A table is given, showing.the distance between Christchurch and Wellington by the different routes :—Via Grey Valley, and Nelson : 315 miles of railway, at 17 miles per hour, 18J hours; 120 miles by sea, at 13 miles per hour, 9i hours; totals, 435 miles and 28 hours. Via Picton : 205 miles of railway, at 21 miles per hour, 9J hours; 60 miles by sea, at 13 miles per hour, 4J hours ; totals, 268 miles and 14| hours. By sea direct : 8 miles of railway to Lyttelton, J hour; 202 miles by sea, at 13 miles per hour, 15i hours; to’als, 210 miles and 16 hours. It will thus be seen that the difference in the line via Picton as compared with the Lyttelton route, would be only an hour and a half, assuming Mr. Blair’s calculation to be correct.

August sth was a very busy one for all those who were directly connected with the sending of the New Zealand exhibits to the Sydney International Exhibition, and relays of drays were to be seen continually going to and from St. George’s Hall. Mr. Callis, the secretary, who has been very painstaking from the time that he assumed the duties, had a careworn appearance which denoted something very much like hard work. He was, however, very ably assisted by Mr. T. W. Pilcher, the well-known forwarding agent. An idea of the amount of work done may be realised when it is stated that between five and ten o’clock in the evening no less than 75 tons of exhibits were shipped on board the steamer Wakatipu, comprising 56 cases from the Colonial Museum, 241 packages, 72 slabs, and the celebrated Maori house. The total value of the goods shipped from Wellington amounts to about £4OOO. Exhibits will be received up to the time of the opening of the Exhibition, but of course the names of the exhibitors will not be published in the catalogue, as that is already in active course of preparation. The term “ trades-unionism” creates a sort of horror in the minds of some members of the community, which is not at all times very easy to understand. If we mistake not, it was Charles Dickens who described the Inner Temple as being one of the most hard-and-fast combinations that existed, and that it was a veritable “ trades union” in every sense of the term, notwithstanding the fact that some of its members talked with such loathing of the institution when found in existence amongst commonplace people like bricklayers, carpenters, ironfounders, and other kindred bodies of men. Here in Wellington it has been freely stated that a combination exists amongst the solicitors that no' person shall be articled, unless bis parent or guardian will give a distinct promise that five years shall elapse after the term of indenture —which is also, we believe, for a period of five years—before the person so articled shall be allowed to start in business on his own account within a radius of sixteen miles of the city. We have thought it right to direct attention to this matter, becaue a good deal of comment has been passed upon it. If the facts are as stated to us, a little ventilation appears to be desirable ; but if not, the members of the legal profession will have an opportunity of replying to the rather harsh strictures passed upon them. Morton Quin, who was arrested some time ago on a charge of embezzlement, was remanded on bail, but as soon as he left the Court he was arrested for debt and imprisoned. When the embezzlement case was called on a few days ago at the Eesident Magistrate’s Court, the prisoner was not present, and on the application of Mr. Stafford an order was issued for the sureties to produce him next Tuesday, or the recognisances would be forfeited. Now, the sureties cannot get Quin out of gaol to comply with this order, unless they first pay his debt, and it is consequently a question of which will be the least loss to them. That was a smart creditor who had Quin arrested for debt as soon as sureties for his appearance had been entered into for his appearance on the charge of embezzlement.

It will be in the recollection of our readers that we lately recorded the accidental death of Mr. Thomas Shalders by drowning in Cable Bay. The deceased gentleman was an officer in the Telegraph Department, and was much respected by all who knew him. Since the sad event every endeavor has been made to recover the body, but without success. Mr. Shalders has left a wife and family ; but though a very young man, he had taken the wise precaution of protecting those dear to him by a life policy, and it will be a source of gratification to his friends to know that such was the case. Thoughtless persons often object to insuring on account of the delay which, as they state, en-mes before the policy is paid. If such be ever the case, the present instance is certainly an exception, for on the 24th of July the claim was sent in to the Commissioner of the Government Insurance, and on the 2nd of August the widow received a cheque for £SOO. A meeting of storekeepers and settlers in and around Palmerston was held on Thursday evening, to take steps towards remedying the stringency of the provisions of the Arms Act, when the following resolution was adopted : “ That this meeting desires to bring under the notice of the Colonial Secretary, the very great hardships inflicted upon settlers in the country by the stringency of the regulations with regard to the sale of ammunition, proving a loss of valuable time to the purchaser, and extremely vexatious to the dealer ; and would ask the Government to appoint a resident licensing officer for Palmerston.” It was stated by some of the speakers that in Foxton and other places the regulations were quite different from what they were in Palmerston, and Mr. Bruce was not far wrong in stating that there should be a great difference in the method of administering the law towards peaceable settlers, as compared with its application to turbulent natives. What might have been a fatal case of “ lost in the bush ” happened at Otaki a few days ago. It appears (says the Manawatu Herald) that last Saturday week a man named Campbell was lost in the bush, between Otaki and Waikawa. As considerable anxiety was felt for his safety, a search party was organised, and he was on the. following Wednesday discovered by Mr. Winterburn. At the time he was found, Campbell had lost his reason, and was very much exhausted. A day later, he would probadly have succumbed. He was taken to Otaki, and carefully attended to, and is now, we are glad to hear, considerably improved. He was working with a party of the natives who are constructing the inland road.

A lengthy report was read at the last meeting of the Wanganui Harbor Board from Messrs. Barr and Olliver, civil engineers, on the works required to deepen the river and improve the bar, which concludes with the following remarks :—“With the formation of a channel 2600 ft. long, the largest class of vessels trading to the colony from Britain could enter the river at high water, or with one 4600 ft. long, such could enter at any state of the tide.” At a meeting of directors of the Sandon District Railway Company, the Chairman stated the sum of £447 ss. had been lodged in the bank as first deposit on shares.

The comparative return of the number of telegrams forwarded and revenue received during the past quarter gives the following result :

From April to June. 1878. 1879. Number ot telegrams .. .. 331.303 353.331 Cash received £19,037 £18,945 Value of Government telegrams.. £5,738 £7,9SS —lt will be seen from the above that the Government messages cost the colony £2249 more this year than during the same period in the previous twelve months. Also that the service was far less remunerative as a whole. The increase in the number of telegrams amounted to 21,028, and the whole revenue derived from the service was less by £9l. From the immigration returns lately published we learn that the number of immigrants introduced during the year amounts to 8747 Government and 2353 nominated immigrants. The nationalities of those introduced by the Government are:— Since Ist July, 1873. Total to date. English 4,105 .. 48,232 Irish 3,023 .. 22,323 Scotch 1,484 .. 14,815 Other Nationalities .. 65 .. 7,439 Totals .. .. 8,747 .. 02,850 The total number of immigrants nominated since the commencement of the scheme in 1873 was 52,250, of whom 12,611 had arrived. Up to date Auckland province had received 12,064 immigrants ; Wellington, 14,123 ; Canterbury, 25,761 ; and Otago, 27,010. The passage money during the past year varied from £l3 10s. per statute adult, up to £l6 7s. 6d., the latter sura only being reached in the case ot the Stad Haarlem. The total sum represented by registrations under the Immigrants Land Act, 1873, amounted to £35,330 ; the actual cost of the land is set down at £10,139. A gentleman of very seedy appearance, who essayed for the nonce the character of a “ picker up ot unconsidered trifles,” was very considerably sold on Monday, July 28th. He was walking past a lady, who, in taking her band from her pocket, let fall a green velvet purse ot a somewhat bulky appearance. Our seedy friend, after a furtive glance around, swooped down upon it, and was about to convey it under his coat-tails when his wrist was seized by a gentleman passing, who had witnessed the transaction, and who, taking the purse from the hand of the seedy one, surprised him by saying, “ Excuse me, sir, but the purse belongs to that lady.” The man replied, consolingly, “ Well, there’s nothing in it, anyhow,” having apparently taken a brief view of its contents. The gentleman hurried after the lady and restored to her the purse, and the seedy one will no doubt be greatly chagrined when he learns that it contained notes to a considerable amount. The Odd Fellows in Blenheim have determined to make an effort to build a hall. The estimated cost is something like £6OO, and competitive designs will probably be called for.

The Dunedin Morning Ucrald learns that the I’ublic Works Department is well satisfied with the dredge recently built by Messrs? Kincaid and McQueen, which has been working at Greymouth. During the past month it has been dredging at the rate of 511 tons per day of nine hours. Although the yield of wheat last season (says the Lyttelton Times) was very small, yet the quality—in some cases at least—was all that could be desired for shipment. Messrs. Miles, Hassal, and Co., have sent us a sample of pearl wheat, grown on their land at Chertsey, of which their London house writes :—“ The Chertsey pearl is a very fine sample, being as the brokers say almost perfect, and will, we think, bring a satisfactory price.” A very beautiful cabinet of New Zealand woods has been made at Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach’s timber and woodware factory for the Sydney Exhibition. Some idea of the elaborate character of this specimen of workmanship may be obtained from the fact that there are no less than 8508 separate pieces of wood iu it. It is (says the Otago Daily Times) impossible, however, in any written description adequately to represent the work, which is probably the most beautiful piece of cabinetwork ever produced in the colonies. The following particulars may prove interesting :—The cabinet has an elliptic top, in the centre of which is an enlarged copy of the old provincial seal of Otago, and on the aides are carved ferns copied from nature. Over the principal mirror, in the back of the cabinet, there are six panels of totara-knot, mold, pukaki, and figwood, studded with moki buttons. The border round the mirror is inlaid with pepperwood and goai. Two carved brackets support the centre glass. These brackets are made of rimu inlaid with moki, and having centre-pieces of silver pine. Under the glass there are a series of arches, supported by turned pilasters, and these are beautifully thrown out in relief by gilding, an industry in which considerable progress has been made by the firm. Below the arches is a shelf made of rimu, and under this there are four mirrors framed with riwa-riwa and moki. The top of the cabinet proper is a splendid piece of rimu, tastefully moulded and carved. The' enclosed portion is made of riwa-riwa. The doors have each panels of moki, inlaid with fine lines of totara, and the centres of the doors are made from broadleaf burr. The mouldings of the panels consist of riwa-riwa, moki, and bog manuka. In addition to all we have mentioned, there is a large amount of ornamental work about the cabinet, and specimens of mottled kauri, figwood, and goai have been placed in conspicuous positions. The hinges and door-fittings, which are silverplated and of chaste design, are also local productions, having been manufactured by Messrs. A. and T. Burt. The cabinet was designed by Mr. Andrew Oraig, the foreman of the cabinet making department, and it has been constructed under the supervision of Mr. Guthrie, the manager of the factory. It will be exhibited for some days in the furniture department of the warehouse, and will well repay the trouble of a close inspection. The Wanganui Agricultural Society appears disposed to amalgamate with the Kangitikei and Waverley districts. Mr. W. T. Owen, in speaking on the subject, said he believed that if Kangitikei and Waverley would join Wanganui, the society would become in*a few years one of the most important in the colony. Mr. B. J. Pharazyn was chosen president at the annual meeting held on Wednesday last. « The Eye and its functions,” formed the subject of an exceedingly interesting lecture, delivered at St. Paul’s schoolroom, Tinakoriroad, on Friday, July 18th, by Dr. Kemp. The Yen. Archdeacon Thorpe occupied the chair, and there was a very select, although not large, audience present. The lecturer fully explained the various parts of the ocular organs; the structure of the eye and the functions of vision being described in plain and comprehensible language, technical names being avoided as far as practicable. His lecture formed an intellectual treat, which we regret we are unable, through extra demand upon our space, to present to our readers. Dr. Kemp made some very sensible remarks condemnatory of the system at present in vogue of allowing boys and girls to grow up in complete ignorance of their own frames, this being hardly in keeping with the spirit of the age, which is essentially one of progress. The proceedings closed with the usual votes of thanks.

Rapid progress is being made with the Colonial Bank of New Zealand new buildings, and that for the South British Insurance Company. The buildings will form a most elegant and striking addition to our already large list of business offices, and the locality in which they have been erected, namely, between the Athenseum and the old Supreme Court-house, will be considerably improved by their presence. The business room of the bank will be a fine large one, and quite equal to any in the colonies.

At a meeting of the Auckland Waste Lands Board the Crown ranger's report of the Eatikati settlement was read. He stated that a large quantity of land had been brought under cultivation, and that large and costly hbuses had been erected, and roads formed ; while, so far as the writer could judge, the settlers appeared to be content. Thirty-seven schedules, which were appended, showed that £10,582 had been spentin improvements, and that of this sum £6680 had been spent upon 32 buildings erected. Of the 10,000 acres sold to Mr. Yesey Stewart 6580 acres had been allotted, and 6670 acres were actually occupied. The settlers numbered 84 adults and 63 children. The area of land under cultivation was 712 J acres, while 10 miles of fencing had been erected. The settlers possessed 178 cattle, 59 sheep, 57 horses, and twenty-three pigs. It was generally agreed amongst the members that settlers had done wonderfully well, and an opinion was expressed that they were an energetic, industrious, spirited body of people. A Small Farm Association has been formed at Wanganui. Thirty names have been enrolled, and the entrance fee is fixed at ss. A piece of land near Taupo-quay and Nixonplace, Wanganui, has beep reserved as a site far Harbor Board offices, it having been previously selected as a site for a Custom House.

A terrible accident occurred at Timaru on tbe 2fth Jaly resulting fatally. Andrew McGavin, who was working in the Government Landing Service, was in front of a heavy cargo boat, holding the surf line, when he got entangled in it, and was thrown down, the boat passing over his body and crushing him to death instantaneously. He was a married man, his wife and family being in Dunedin. An old public servant, and one who is known to most persons in this city, and in other portions of the colony, has at length, after a long and faithful service, been justly promoted. Mr. Ebenezer Baker on July 30th received his commission as Resident Magistrate for the district of Wairoa, in Poverty Bay, with jurisdiction up to £SO, and also his appointment as chairman of the Licensing Court for the same district. Mr. Baker has been in the public service for nearly a quarter of a century, having been appointed, on the Ist of November, 1555, clerk and Maori interpreter to the first Resident Magistrate’s Court held in Poverty Bay, which is now known as Gisborne, Mr, H. S, Wardell being R.M. for the district at the time. Towards the close of the year 1859, Mr. Baker was removed to Wellington to take the present Dr. Buller’s place as native interpreter to the Supreme and Resident Magistrate’s Courts in this city. In 1860 Mr. Baker was appointed Maori interpreter to the Wellington Provincial Council, which position he held up to the abolition of the provincial form of government. He also received the appointment of secretary to the Commissioner of Native Reserves, left vacant through the RegistrarGeneralship having been conferred upon'Mr. W. R. E. Brown, who still holds that position. In 1866, Mr. Baker was appointed clerk to the District Court, which was held here under •Judge Ward, and latterly held a similar position under Judge Mansford. Mr. Baker was also Sheriff, Registrar, and Returning Officer, as well as Marshal of the "Vice-Admiralty Court. As might easily be perceived, there was a great amount of work attached to these various offices, and it has often been a matter of surprise to many younger men how Mr. Baker has been able to discharge the different duties devolving upon him. There will not be very many found to regret that he has been transferred to a district where the work will be much lighter, and where he may have a chance of spending that “ green old age,” to which we all look forward, free from that multiplicity of offices which must also mean a constant amount of worry and work. It was only the other day that the barristers and solicitors of this city showed their high appreciation of Mr. Baker’s services, and he has also received flattering encomiums from the majority of the local Justices of the Peace. We wish Mr. Baker every prosperity in his new career, and trust that he will long enjoy his well-earned promotion. The following rather curious announcements, posted on the door of an office in one of the chambers in this city, form a species of conundrum to a good many commercial men, but the latter notice is evidently the handiwork of some wag:—“Gone to , back in three days.” “ When you return, please call and see the bailiff, who has seven summonses waiting for you.”