Probincial Mems.

Southland Times, Issue 962, 3 June 1868, Page 6

Probincial Mems.

Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the returns of the Bluff line of railway have been considerably larger than what was stated ia a recent issue of this journal. We append a corrected list, from which it will be seen that instead of £3000 being the amount of earnings of the railway, it should have read £3629 7s 3d. We would scarcely have thought it necessary to make ,ihe alteration, had not some mischievous misstatements been made by a local paper, which are calculated, in the event of their being circulated outside of Southland, to do this Province a serious injury. The following is the authenticated

Prospecting appears to be attended with considerable success in the Longwood Banges near Biverton. A man who has been working in the ranges for some time is said to have found a very . handsome nugget, weighing 3ozs. sdwts. ; he also stated that he had two others in his possession weighing Bdwts. and sdwts. respectively. There is no doubt that if the Government could devote a .- small sum to cut tracks in the vicinity of Longwood, it would give a great impetus to prospecting in that direction. Gold is known to exist there, and it only requires the country to be opened up to induce prospecting on an extensive scale.

A drawing-room entertainment, in aidof thefunds of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, was held at the Theatre Boyal last Tuesday. The house was well fiUeci, the upper part especially. His Honor the Superintendent took part in the proceedings by reading selections from Scottish authors. The programme was most attractive, and the proceedings passed off with the greatest eclat. It is to be hoped that similar entertainments will take place periodically, as they help to spend a long winter's evening in a most pleasant manner. The following is a copy of the programmerOverture (Volunteer Band), Duett (Vocal), Solo (Vocal), Duett (Piano), Beading, Trio (V° cal )» A. T. 8., Duett (Cornets), Solo (Vocal). Solo (Piano), Quartette (Vocal), Solo (Vecal), Duett (Cornets), Beading, Solo (Vocal), Solo (Piano), Trio (Vocal).

The "Herald" (Melbourne) says that "residents in Eiverina hare noticed that for some time past the climate in that district has been undergoing great modifications. The large quantities* of water deposits inartificial reservoirs on some of the plains are being discovered, by the wild fowl, and the heart of the duckshooter is rejoicing within him.

3*r» jvre informed the Hon. Colonel Haultain, Colonial Defence Minister, has intimated His intention of visiting Invercargill during the ensuing month. We understand that the object is to make an official inspection of the various Volunteer companies existing in the provinces of the Middle Island. It is to be hoped that the Invercargill Biflemen will exert themselves to put in a credit

able appearance. While upon the Bubject o'

volunteering we would remind the members of the > Invercargill company that the Bifle match to • come off on the Queen's Birthday, is one of much importance. ■ It has been stated that the rifles supplied to the Invercargill Bifle Company are of a most inferior description, notwithstanding this the Company has done well, and we hope that it will do still better on this occasion.

A very fine specimen of coal was brought to our office on Saturday last. In burning it produced a Bteady heat, with a clear whitp flame, and when consumed left very little ash and scarcely any cinder. We should say it would be found perfectly suitable for nearly all the purposes for which coal is used. The specimen was taken from a seam, said to be eighteen feet in thickness, which crops out on Captain Howell's run, in the Jacob's Biver district. Surely such a " natural resource/ such a mine of absolute wealth, will not be allowed long to remain undeveloped.

A correspondent supplies the Geelong Register with the following account of the advent of sn interesting stranger : — " While riding yesterday across Mr Gk Armytage's run — about eight miles south of Birregurra, at about 2 o'clock — a splendid stag with large antlers, crossed our path, and cleared a fence in a gallant style. It has just been chased by a large bull dog belonging to a son of Mr Michael M'Grath's, of Birreeurra. The nearest deer I think are at the Werribee, and this is the first seen in the Western district. I cautioned the parties against destroying it."

It may fairly be anticipated there will be a great rush for a supply of colonial cloth when our local company have determined upon holding their first sale. The " Courier " says : — " As showing the good feeling which prevails towards the Geelong Woolen and Cloth Manufacturing Company, and the small considerations the publicbestow upon ' economic conclusions,' it may nol be amiss to state that several gentlemen in Ballarat have instruucted their tailors to make them suits of the Gealong cloth as soon as a supply reaches them from the mills. As a further proof of this good feeling we may add that tht price is most heroically and patriotically ignored."

The 'Herald' says " Some scandal has recently been created ac Ballarat by the extraordinary conduct of certain persons who defaced certain por. tions of the ecclesiastical furniture in St John's Church, Soldier's Hill, under the impression that it was too ritualistic in tendency. The services ■were on Sunday conducted by the Bey T. M. B. Phillips, of Clunes, who exchanged for that day with the Bey W. Floyd. In the morning the prea.cher.took for his text the narrative of the vision and stoning of St Stephen ; and during the discourse referred to the embittered proceedings of the past week, exhorting the congregation to ■work more harmoniously, so as not to draw down upon themselves the finger of scorn from other churches and denominations. The eastern window still remains unglazed, whilst the communion table has been refitted with a cloth having a small border of gold lace around the edge, but with no

The " Argus" says s— " A number of gentlemen interested in pastoral and other pursuits, lately assembled at dough's warehouse, Collins-street, to inspect a tank of preserved meat prepared by the Victorian Meat-preserving Company, whioh had been lying in the warehouse for some three months. The tank was about being shipped for Bnglani, bat was withdrawn by the manager of the company when it was discovered that there was a small hole in it, as it was feared that the air might penetrate to and damage the meat. The tank contained about two tons of meat, all mutton. The carcases of the sheep had been boned, slightly salted and spiced, rolled in linen oloths, and then paoked in tallow in the tanks. Tha meat was thoroughly tested yesterday by probing with, a long wooden skewer, reaching beyond the centre of the tank, and it was pro- J nounoed by all present to be in beautiful condi- [ tiou, and a most marketable article. The portions of the carcases prepared in this way some months since, but which had not been placed in tallow were* cut through and tasted. The flavor was delicious, and meat so prepared and in such condition Bhould command a ready sale either here or in England. We understand that the meat thus oured can be landed in the London market at such a price a3 to give the shopkeeper a fair profit if retailed at 5d per pound. If this be so, there should be an immense demand in England for the Viotoria Meat-preserving Company's shipments.

A sad case of death by drowning occured on Thursday afternoon last. A man named Jamieson in company with Mr Findlay a settler, having occasion to cross the New River ford in a dray, near Mr Grieves homestead, and whilst near the centre one of the horses stumbled, and carried the shaft horse and dray down the stream. The dray by the impetus of the current, was capsized in deep water. Mr Findlay managed, after a great deal of exertion, and with the aid of a bundle of cornsacks, to reach the bank of the river, but Mr Jamieson was not so fortunate ; having been drawn into the middle of the stream, the velocity of the current was so great as to preclude any assistance being rendered to him and the unfortunate man speedily sank. Mr Findlay immediately hurried to Mr Grieves house for asistance, which was at once granted, but without success.

The body of the unfortunate man Jamieson, who was drowned in the Oreti on the 14th inst. was recovered on Tuesday last, about 200 yards below the spot where the accident occurred, where it had become entangled in one of the snags so numerous in the river. A coroners inquest was held on the remains, on Wednesday, at which a verdict was returned in accordance with the facts already published in these columns. The jury appended a rider recommending the Government to place a suitable boat at the crossing in question.

It will be observed from our advertising columns that "Penny Readings" are to be, after all a literal fact, an entertainment of that description being announced to take place on Saturday evening, to which, admission may be. had for one penny, although coin of greater value will be accepted from those disposed to pay more liberally for their amusement. We understand that a very good programme has been secured, and as the meeting tates place mtne very centre or me town — the iron buildings — and on a night when most working people have an hour to spare, the entertainment will no doubt be largely patronised. It is to be hoped that Saturday evening's attempt may be so successful as to warrant the continuation of the projected series. We are informed that the arrangements for the first reading have been made by a few gentlemen, acting on their own responsibility, who are desirous of setting a course of really popular entertainments on foot, and that, contingent on the interest manifested by the public, after the first reading has been given a meeting will be called at which a committee and proper officers will be appointed to carry on the scheme.

The fears entertained for the safety of the three men, Hayes, Bates, and Xerr, who left the Pahi for Biverton in an open boat on the 12th inst., turn out to have been but too well founded. Two bodies have since been washed on to the beach near Biverton, and identified as those of Bates and Hayes. An inquest was held on them at ftiverton on Tuesday last, at which Henry iVl'Culloch, Esq., J.P., acted as coroner, and from he depositions then made, the following particulars are gathered with regard to the sad catastrophe. It appears that at abuut one o'clock in the afternoon ,of Tuesday, the 12th inst., Dr Monckton assisted Bates and Kerr to launch the boat, which belonged to himself, at a place known as the Pahui Boat Harbor, intending himself to proceed with them to Biverton. He seems, however, to have changed his mind, and resigned his place to Hayes. While launching the boat, another boat belonging to a man named Campbell was seen to pass the mouth of the inlet, apparently bound for Biverton. Dr Monckton, after cautioning the men to return in the event of their meeting with foul weather outsido — which they said they would do, and walk overland, — saw them proceed down the harbor a little and take in ballast off the beach, and then sail round a point out of sight. Tne men were never seen or heard of again until two of their dead bodies were disdiscovered, as already stated. The boatman, Campbell, stated in his evidence that it was blowpretty hard from the N .W. when he passe the Pahui harbor, but that almost immediately afterwards the wind changed to the S.W., and increased !in force. He made Biverton about three o'clock ; ! but had seen nothing of the other boat on his way. A nvm named Taylor, proceeding from Biverton to Invercargill on the following Saturday, the 16th instant, discovered a body washed ashore near the wreck of the Wanderer, which he recognised as that of the man Hayes. He then returned to Riverton and informed the police, who took charge of the corpse. The other body was found at the same place the day following (Sunday). As Dr Monckton's boat was known to be the best on the coast, it was surmised that the men might have been running unnecessary risk in making a race of it with Campbell, whom they saw passing while they were preparing to start ; but the fact, as stated by Dr Monckton, that a sufficient time had elapsed between the time of Campbell's passing and their getting clear of the harbor to have allowed him to be out of sight ; and that the boat was in charge of Kerr, an experienced and carefa boatman, renders this supposition improbable The likelihood is that the boat was caught in a sudden squall and capsized. The jury returned a verdict, in accordance with the evidence, of accidental death by drowning.

We were shown lately as fine a sample o barley as could possibly be grown anywhere. Th< grains were full and clear, with a very thin wrinkled skin, and, although of this year's growth and btifc newly thrashed, quite hard, and seasoned enough to be put at once in steep for malting We were assured that the sample was simply a handful taken indiscriminately from the heap on the barn floor, and in no way manipulated to improve its appearance. It was grown by Mr Carmichael, of Winton, who had a field of twelve acres, all equally good, which yielded the very handsome return of fifty bushels to the acre. With barley at ait shillings, this return should leave a pretty good margin of profit to the farmer, even taking high wages and bad roads into consideration. The field from which the crop was obtained had not been manured or otherwise artificially enriched, further than by the primitive method in use amongst the settlers of chipping, burning off, and ploughing. The result speaks most hopefully for Winton, as an agricultural I district.

Johnson, a notorious bushranger on the New South Wales side, has been arrested in the neighborhood of Mudgee. The Dubbo " Despatch" of the 2nd insfc. states that on Sunday he was at Gilgandra, making himself quite at home under the pretence of being a policeman. He stuck up a traveller with a swag, telling him he answered the description of an absconder from Queensland, He put several questions to the man, and read him the usual "caution." Johnson afterwards told tho man he was not a policeman, and if he wa3 asked who stuck him up, to say it was " Ringtailed Johnson." This would-be knight of the road asked the traveller if he met Johnson would he fire at him ; to which he replied he would. The rascal immediately produced two pistols, handed one to the man, walked back a few paces, and fired over his head. We hear of him again at Gfolargumbone, where he brought a gentleman behind him on his horse fcom Warrie to the inn, and made him sign a check for £4. Several similar exploits are told of this aspirant for Cockatoo.

The " Queanbeyan Age" (New South Wales) rejoices over a singularly cheap sale of produce as follows : — " There appears to be some prospect at last of realising the old saw concerning • beggars on horseback.' As an appropriate adjunct to the now not uncommon occurrence of buying an eighteenpenny horse, a stack of good oaten hay, containing about twelve tons, was sold the other day, at tbe sale of an insolvent's effects in this district, for twenty shillings! Who wouldn't keep a horse after this ?"

The following has been given to the "St. Arnaud Mercury "— " On the River Murray a fisherman and two boys built a pine log house, and are now occupied in catering and curing fish for the market. Nearly erery day this season, while following their usual occupation near the dwelling-houae, they were ia the habit of killing from five to six snakes. The little party began to get frightened, and determined to have a general overhaul about the premises, when they succeeded in killing forty snakes in less than two hours, and in this number were included nearly every species of snake known in the colony of Victoria."

The " Bendigo Advertiser" thus refers to the agrJcu.Unra.l operatiuua of tho district : — " There is a universal complaint amongst farmers that the want of water keeps them from turning over their ground early, to expose it to the air and sn« Notwithstanding this, a large quantify of ground is already sown, especially on the Campaspe and around Coornong. Ploughing operations at Bullock Creek are being carried on with great vigour, the lighter and more friable soils of that vicinity working well, though rather cloddy, and requiring the free use of the roller. We are glad to find that the farmers are trying to remedy the mistake they made last year, and sowing the stronger kinds of wheat, especially the purple straw wheat, which has become a great favourite and from all accounts justly so. We hope farmers will take precautions to destroy the spores of the rust which remain on the seed wheat, by pickling it according to the directions given in thi 3 journal some time back. The experiment, at all events, is well worth the trial."

The Melbourne " Herald" says that efforts willbe made to oppose the re-election of nearly all the members of the new ministry, with the view of testing the feeling of the country. It is said that Mr Sladen, will find an opponent in the Western Province in Mr George Rolfe, who is apparently always ready to come forward in any emergency. Mr Fellows, at St Kilda, and Mr Langton, at West Melbourne, will probably be allowed a walk- over, as it is considered useless to enter upon a contest in those districts after the resultg of the late election. Strenuous efforts are being made to induce Mr Michie to oppose Mr Gillies in Ballarat West ; but in the event of that gentleman declining, which is more than probable, Mr Chalmers, the defeated candidate at the last election, but who polled a large number of votes, will be brought forward against the Minister of Lands. Mr Crews, another " emergency man," and also Mr Herbert Henty, are spoken of as likely to contest South Bourke against Mr O'Grady; and it is thought that Mr Graham Berry will prove a formidable opponent to Mr Kerferd at the Ovens. Mr MacDonnell is considered safe for reelection at Villers and Heytesbury ; but Mr Bayles is thought to be not quite so certain. Rumour has it that Mr M'Culloch is willing to give up Mornington for the purpose of contesting the election in the Villers and Heytesbury. It is evident, however, that the strongest opposition will be brought to bear against the new Ministery

The " Argus " of the 13th inst. says :— " That the G-eelong Woollen and Cloth Factory was visited and inspected yesterday by the three gentlemen appointed by G-overnment — Messrs Alston, Sargood, and Black — to see that the company had carried out the requirements necessary to secure the grant in aid. The quantity of cloth required was 5,000 yards, but 5,300 were measured off, and some 1,700 yards were not unrolled. The inspectors expressed their surprise and gratification at what they saw, and there is ittle doubt but that their report will be very ' favorable.

The band of the Invercargill Eifle Volunteer Company turned out for marching practice on Friday evening last. The muster was good, and the tunea played were more correct as to time than has yet been observable. We regret to have to state that some evil disposed person or persons were vicious enough to throw stones and mud at the performers, which resulted in the destruction of : the tenor side drum, and also injured the large drum.

The Council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society has issued its first yearly report, and a more satisfactory one under the circumstances of 'he past year could not have been expected. The receipts for the pa3fc year, from all sources, have oeeu £1,134 10s 4d, and, after defraying the working expenses, erecting an aviary and other buildings in the Domain, there is a balance in the Bank of £53 15s. There have been 581 birds and animal* introduced under the auspices of the \ Society during the year, Bnd more thaii 200 birds, &0., have been distributed in the various districts. The report i9 an exceedingly interesting on* and concludes with the following remarks : — " In concluding, the Council would stats that the result of the past year's experience has confirmed the conviction that the climate of this province is peculiarly adapted to the acclimatisation, not only of English birds, but also those of wanner climes ; most of the English birds, which were in sufficient condition to do so, commenced building a few days after they were landed and turned into the aviaries. It is earnestly hoped, therefore, that the efforts of tho Society will be backed by the hearty support of those colonists who wish to cultivate the endearing associations of their fatherland, and at the same time check the ravages of the myriads of insects which so often destroy the farmer's hopes."

The "Thames Advertiser" (Auckland) gives the following account of the progress of the gold district : — "Therearenow 4,778 miner's rights issued. The population, which six months ago consisted of a score or two of men, now numbers about 7,000, of whom many are women and children. A large and populous town has been formed, and homesteads are dispersed everywhere throughout the district open to prospecting. When it is remembered that with very imperfect appliances the Thames goldfield bas produced over 15,000 ounces of gold, worth more than £30,000, in the last six months, it may be readily imagined what the yield would be if adequate machinery were in the district." This is highly satisfactory, but, judging from the reports received, the Thames district has other wants besides that of machinery. The greatest want is the formation of roads, and this fact has impressed itself very forcibly upon the attention of the residents during the wet weather, which has already set in. "What they will be when winter exerts its rigour it is impossible to say. Another want is the construction of wharves. His Honor the Superintendent has held interviews with the people, but the conclusion they have arrived at is, that his Honor does not by any means deal fairly or generously with the gold district. A new Court-house was opened with some formality on the 20th instant. The Superintendent and his Honor Judge Moore were present on the occasion. The publication of a tri-weekly newspaper at Shortland, by two gentlemen who recently belonged to the " Southern Cross " establishment, is perhaps the most striking indication of the prosperity, of the gold district. The paper is exceedingly well got up, and, jndging from its advertising columns, is well supported by the mercantile portion ol the community. A population like that contained in the mining district is well able to support a local organ, and if the proprietors carry out the principles they have enunciated a beneficial influence will be exerted."

A meeting of the members and subscribers of the Southland Horticultural and Agricultural Society, took place on Friday the 22nd ult., at Colyer's Princess Hotel. There was a very good attendance, and considerable interest was evinced towards the prosperity of the Society. The following gentlemen were elected by ballot as the office bearers for the ensuing season, 1868-69 viz.> President : John Blacklock, Esq. M.P.C. j VicePresidents : H. M'Cullocli, Esq.,B.M., Dr Grigor ; Treasurer :MrJ. W. Cooper ; Secretary : Mr W. B. Scandrett ; Committee : Messrs D. M'Arthu^ J. E. Stewart, Dr Willson, R. Cleave, R. Miller, W. Preston, R. Birrell, C. Broad, F. Mountier, J. W. Bain, R. Buchanan, J. Mentiplay, and J. G. Smith. Several matters connected with the Society were discussed, but ultimately left with the committee to arrange. The proceedings terminating with separate votes of thanks to the Secretary for past services, and to the Chairman of the evening (Mr Stewart.)

Mr Hoyfc, whose name is so well known in connexion with coaching in Victoria, has just left (says the ' Australasian ') for Japan, of all other places, where he is intending to establish lines of like fast conveyances that have proved such a great public convenience here. There ia a spice of romance in the circumstance of a practicalminded man going among a people who so recently were the most exclusive in the world, to slap them on the back, as it were, and bid them wake up from the dreamy monotony with which they have been going on for nobody knows how many centuries. One would like to have the impressions of an intelligent Japanese on the innovations, direct and relative, to which a line of coaches from, say, Teddo to Yokohama, will give rise. The dreadful shock the sight of those rattling, tearing, devil-may-care travelling machines will communicate to the proud, dignified aristocratic old humbugs, will be fatal to them the Tycoon in Wellington boots and a chimney pot They will commit the happy despatch on the spot, out of sheer chagrin at witnessing a revolu tion they cannot control. Mr Hoyt will surely pave the way for railroads, and we may calculate even with the present generation upon seeing hat.

A meeting of those in favor of the " Penny Reading" movement was held in Dee-street, in Buchanan's old store, on Tuesday evening, the 26th inst. The attendance was numerous, and those present appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. Mr M'Clure was called to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting. Considerable discussion ensued as to the best place to hold the entertainment in ; but it was ultimately decided to leave the question open, and in the meantime to continue to use the Exchange-buildings. The following gentlemen were elected to act as a committee : — Messrs M'Clure (chairman), Gilmour, Burns, Perkins, t)ickenson, Crouch, Hanan, Stewart, M'Rorie, Irvine, with power to add to their number Mr Irvine was appointed managing director, Mr Perkins, secretary, and Mr Dickenson, treasurer. It was resolved to hold the next reading on Friday evening next. Every one present appeared to speak hopefully of the success of the movement. A joung man named Shepherd, of this town, whilst endeavoring to cross the River Mataura, on his way to Switzer's, was accidently drowned. We learn that upwards of 750 acres of land were sold on Tuesday, at the Waste Lands Ofiice.

Sometime since we intimated that the Poliet had Beized an illicit still at Paterson's Inlet, Stewart's Maud. The reputed owner was, however, absent from the island at the time, and but consequently escaped immediate prosecution, subsequently he was got hold of and the case came before the Besident Magistrate on Tuesday, the 26th inst. Mr Macdonald acted as Crown prosecutor. The defendant conducted his own case. From the evidence it appeared that Charles Price, who had given the information leading to the seizure and who was the first witnesß examined, had, on the 3rd of March last, at the request of defendant, A. H. Powell, assisted him to Temove some sugar, &c., from Port Wiliiam to Paterson's Inlet, and that on the following day he further assisted Powell to remove a machine to the same locality^; witness believed the machine was intended for the manufacture of spirits of some sort, and stated that the defendant had no house or place of abode at the inlet. He said the goods — the sugar, malt, &c. — were in Paterson's Inlet now, hidden somewhere in the bush. A document, an order for the goods, or list of them, was produced, and said by witness to be in defendant's handwriting. Defendant did not cross-examine Price at any length, but simply asked him whether it was not a fact that he (Price) had told several persons that he was going to build a craft for defendant. Witness admitted that he had Baid so to several parties. Sergeant Morton gave evidence as to the seizure of the still, the subsequent arrest of defendant, and the source from whence he obtained the written document. This document defendant admitted to be an order which he had given to a man named Lowrie to procure delivery of the goods in question from Price. The Btill he had discovered behind Price's house, on government land. Witness, in reply to defendant admitted that he had gone to Price's house because he (defendant) had preferred a charge of robbery against him. The defendant said he would not call witnesses but would suggest to the court that the information was purely an act of revenge on the part of Price in retalliation for his having previously charged him with robbery. He put it to his worship whether it was likely that he defendant, would have preferred such a serious charge against Price if he had been so much in his power as had been made appear. As for the sugar and other commodities he asserted that he : was prepered to prove if necessary that he had been both using and selling them. The malt, of which there was only a small quantity, he said was for use in the making of yeast for baking purposes. He had asked Price the question about the building of a boat to show that it might have

been about that business that he had 'gone to his place]; with regard to the machine he denied being at all connected with it. The Eesident Magistrate held that the evidence, resting entirely on the uncorroborated statements of Price, "was not sufficient to justify a conviction. The case was therefore dismissed.

The " Nelson Evening Mail " has the following : — « lt seems more than probable that tha< august body, the House of Representatives, wil number amongst its ranks at its next meeting what appears to be a rara avis in the North Island — a Fenian pure et simple. The election for the representation of Westland North in the General Assembly is almost certain to result in the return of Mr Gallagher, in opposition to Messrs Home and Donne, both members of our Provincial Council. Three-fourths of those

entitled to vote at this election are notoriously Fenians, and mostly located at Addison's Flat, •where the late riots took place, and -where Mr Gallagher polled an immense majority of 'votes. The honor of representing this constituency may therefore, after all, be a very questionable and perhaps ultimately prove a dangerous one. It may not be generally known that the probable successful candidate is a miner, a resident on that . now notorious locality, Addison's Plat, and that he has distinguished himself on various occasions by his vehement enunciation of those democratic principles which have lately been in vogue in that region. [It is, therefore, not unreasonable to surmise that, ere long, an avowed exponent of Fenianism will tax to the utmost the powers of patience and wonderment with which the honorable members of that eugust assemblage are supposed to be eminently endowed." Mr Gallagher has Bince been returned by a large majority.

The ""Wellington Independent," of the 12th instant has the following wi*h regard to the Colonial Museum : — " Since the accommodation of the Colonial Museum, was increased by the addition of a wing to the original building, a number of objects of interest have been added to the collection formerly exhibited. Prominent amongst these is a mounted specimen of the { Dinornis Gigantea,' which is placed at one end of the old building, and forms a striking object. In one of the glass cases used for the exhibition of small objects is a skeleton of the kiwi, prepared by Dr Knox. An excellent collection of weapons of war used by the Australian aborigines, and presented to the museum by Sir George Bowen, also merits attention. The geological department has been enriched by some excellent maps, amongst which are three or four of the Waikato coal fields. There is in one case a specimen of brown paper, manufactured from the " phormium tenax," by Dr Von Mueller ; and in another two or three very handsome inlaid tables made of New Zealand woods. A number of photographs of the hot springs at Rotohama, most of them taken by Dr Kinder, are also worth notice. But the chief object of attraction to visitors appears to be a Maori house, which occupies one end of the new wing. The house is remarkable for the quantity of carving with which it is decorated, upon every side post and raftor being cut figures of celebrated chiefs of the Poverty Bay district, altogether about 100 in number. The house was taken possession of by our forces when Tauranga was captured shortly after the Hawke's Bay invasion in 1866. It was erected about twenty years ago by the Ngatikahunguna, for the brother of Eaharui Rakapo, and took several yeara in building. It is one of the most, if not the most, beautifully carved native houses in the country, and it is a matter of regret that more care has not been taken in its erection in the museum. The museum also contains another fine specimen of native carving in the shape of the bow of a canoe. Altogether, the collection now exhibited at the Colonial Museum is highly creditable to those who have the management of the institution."

The price of the "Melbourne Age "is to be reduced to one penny- from the Ist of June.

We are authorised to state that a commission has been appointed by His Honor the : Superin* tendent, to enquire whether, by some modification of the present Hospital Regulations, arrange* ments could not be made for carrying out the scheme alluded to in His Honor's address at the opening of last session of the Council,' viz., to make some suitable provision to meet the case of poor patients who may, on their discharge from the Hospital, be still physically unable to earn their own subsistence, also, for other aged or infirm persons, who must otherwise, as at present, depend alone on private charity ; to inquire into .the present treatment of criminal [or neglected children, and devise the best means of providing systematically for their management by means of a G-overnment Institution. They are also to ascertain whether the Ladies' Benevolent Society will co-operate. The gentlemen forming the commission are, Messrs Nutter, Dundas, M'Arthur, M'Pherson, Armstrong, and Pearson. It is gratifying to be able to record, in the Bame issue in which one of the subjects submitted to the com mission is bo painfully prominent, the fact that the Government is evidently anxious to co-operate energetically with the people, in applying the remedies to mitigate the evils of which so much complaint has been made. •

On Saturday last a number of the Bhopkeepe» in town were mulct in sundry petty fines, for having in their possession unjust •weights and measures. It is but fair, however, to observe that in no instance was there any apparent intention to defraud ; in fact, in a goodly proportion of the cases, the fines were inflicted in consequence of the weights in use being too heavy ; and it does seem very hard that a man should be fined for giving his customers the benefit of a littJ« extra weight, or the turn of the beam. It is, however, well that a uniform standard of weights and measures should obtain, and that the* strictest justice between buyer and seller should be insisted upon. We are, therefore, glad to learn that the Inspector has at last made a thorough examination, and put the costly standards with which ha was some time ago supplied to some practical use. At the Eesident Magistrate's Court on Friday last a most distressing case of juvenile delinquency was brought prominently before the public. Three little children of the name of Busbridge, the eldest not more than seven, the youngest » little girl of only three years of age, were brought up charged with having, on the day previous made an entrance to a store near the Jetty, and carried off a miscellaneous collection of groceries. Mrs Moran, the owner of the store in questior>. gave evidence that on the day named she had, as she thought, securely locked up her shop 1 and then gone up to town on busines, on her return shortly afterwards she found the store door open, and, in the goods scattered about the floor, sufficient evidence to show that some one had been in and made pretty free with her stock. Suspecting who the depredators were, she hunted up the children, and found in theii possession several articles belonging to' her, uchas tins of jam, dried apples, &c, some silver which was also missed was. not found on the children. Mrs Morran then, of course, com* municated the case to the police. Sergeant O'Keefe deposed to the fact that the children were habitually neglected by their mother, whom he described as a woman of dissolute habits, ft frequenter of bad houses, and otherwise guilty This the woman, who was in court, denied, asserting that she went out washing and cooking to earn bread for her children, and called a witness to corroborate her statement. The witness, Mr M'Arthy,of the New Market Hotel, stated that Mrs Busbridge had been of late employed by him, but admitted that she frequently required to have a nobler in the morning to " sober " her. His worship reminded Mr Weldon that anj hotelkeeper could be fined for allowing prostitutes or other disorderly characters to frequent his house. Mr Weldon intimated that the law in this respect would have to be enforced, Ultimately the woman was dismissed with ft caution as to her future behaviour. The poor children were also set at liberty, the Magistrate regretting that no institution for their reception was yet in existence. This case shows most forcibly the urgent necessity that exists for the immediate establishment of an industrial school, or juvenile reformatory of some sort, and it is to] be hoped that the Government will, without delay, take the necessary steps in the matter. The following return shews the quanties of gold exported from the different ports in the colony during the quarter ending the 31st of March last : —

The total quantity of gold exported, is . 160,295 ozs ; yalue, £634,036. A table compiled from the. census taken in December last, and published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 14th inst., Bhows the total number of acres under cultivation (including in this term land sown in grass) in the province ~ ; of .Auckland at the end of last, year to hare been 129,677 acres ; in Taranaki, 16,784 acres; in Wellington, 133,888 acres; in Hawke'a Bay, 31,254$ acres ; in Nelson, 41,614 acres : in Marlborough, 17,984 acres; in Canterbury, 152,659 acres; in Otago, 122,209 acres; in Southland, 31.034J acres; in the Chatham Islands, 341 f acres; total, 677,445 acres. Th« table also shows the number of acres fenced to have been — Auckland, 207,994 acres ; Tranata", 18,906 acres; Wellington, 266,308 acres ; Hawfre's Bay, 247,005 acres ; Nelson, 459,327 acres ; Marlborough, 273,382 acres ; Canterbury, 1,013,523 acres: Otago, 665,572 acres; Southland, 302,185 acres > Chatham Islands, .933 acres ; total, 3,455,535 acres. . - , .

return : — January Ist to Slat £168 15 5 February Ist to 29th 362 13 0 March Ist to 31st ... ... 192 12 7 April Ist to 27th 600 11 6 " Celjeno's" wool account... ... 354 1 6 « Heather BellY coal 90 0 0 " Maria's" cargo 200 0 0 Metal from Green Hills: 6000 yards, at 53 1500. 0 0 Mails 136 13 4 Miscellaneous ... ... 24 0 0 £3629 7 3

QUANTITIES. VALUE. OZS. £ Auckland V. 8,405 24,476 Picton 401 1|604 Greymouth (produce of Marlborough Province) ... 3 12 Nelson ... 2,120. 8,48 Westport 29,823 119,292 Brighton 7,905 31,620 Greymouth (produce of Nelson Prorince) 11,671 46,684 Greymouth (produce of West* land) 10,397 41,588 HoHtika 40,352 161,408 Okarita ... 2,526 10,104 Dunedin (produce of Canterbury Province) 3 13 Dunedin (produce of Otago) 43,950 175,800 Invercargill 2,739 10,956 The quantity and value of gold exported from each Province is as follows . — Auckland 8,405 26,476 Marlborough 404 1,616 Nelson ... 51,519 206,076 Westland 53,275 213,100 Canterbury 3 12 Otago 43,950 175,800 Southland 2,739 10,956