MISCELLANEOUS.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 498, 10 March 1880, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

Wb take the following items from the Ah Z. Times ; Wo learn that the Government have given instructions for the survey of a number ol blocks ofland throughout the colony with a view to their being sold on deferred payments. This work is to bo pushed on with as much speed as possible, in order that they may be available tor settlement by small farmers at an early date. A few days ago we referred to photographs of the prophet Te Whiti on view in a shop window on the Quay. For the last two or three days there has also been on exhibition a very striking painting, in oil, representing the prophet’s wife—a young and pretty woman. The picture appears to bo an excellent one, all the details being perfect. The artist is Mr G. Lindauer, who painted the very fine Maori portraits on view in the same window a few days ago.

The luck which has attended a few ventures in racing sweeps, made by Mrs Fisher, the worthy hostess of the Prince of Wales Hotel, this season, is not likely to be surpassed in the colony. Mrs Fisher was the holder of Foul Play in North’s sweep on the Wellington Oup, and as that horse won the event, she drew £9OO, the clear gain being, however, only £550, as she had sold half her chance for £IOO. In Stapleton’s sweep on the Dunedin Cup she again drew the same horse, and got £IOO for third place. In Dodson’s sweep on the same event she also drew Norseman, who, as a non-starter, brought her £lB. The three tickets have, therefore, brought her in £G6B for an outlay of only £3. On Wednesday the Hon Native Minister left Wellington for Napier. His object is to try and arrange matters in regard to the block of land about which there has been so long standing a dispute between Mr Sutton, M.H. R., and the natives. After leaving Napier he proceeds overland to New Plymouth. It is improbable that he will be able to make his contemplated visit to Auckland for a considerable time to come. The first place ho will proceed to after leaving Napier will be the Waimate Plains, and it is proposed that a cross road shall be formed through the Plains westwards to Opnnakc. When this road is started the road making on the Plains will be proceeding from three different directions.

The Hon Major Atkinson has given instructions that 50 more married men from among the unemployed shall be taken on for public works, on the same terms as offered men previously engaged. There is a prospect of direct steam communication between Auckland and Fiji being shortly re-established. A steamer (the Suva) now trades between Melbourne and Fiji; and so rapidly has the trade developed that the owners are now looking out for a vessel of large tonnage, and, recognising the importance of coaling at the Bay of Islands instead of Melbourne, limy have determined that their new steamer shall coal there, and subsequently call at Auckland for passengers and cargo.