Local and General.

Southland Times, Issue 1155, 27 October 1869, Page 1

Local and General.

Mr George Webster addressed the Campbelltown electors, at the Eagle Hotel, on the evening of theßth inst. He wished them to understand that they would not be conferring any obligation by returning him, ac he went in to attend to their work— for the public good — not for any private benefit. He was, however, of opinion that things

had been badly managed here hitherto, and, as he was largely interested in the prosperity of the province, he would like to see the} Government better conducted. He, in common with the rest of the inhabitants, would thus be benefited. He ■ alluded to the state of the roads as requiring immediate attention, and characterized it as false economy to hare the pilot service bo far reduced as to impair its efficiency. It was disgraceful that public servants' salaries should be months in arrears, while most of the members of the late Council had been receiving their pound a day while wasting time squabbling. He would aivocato being handed over to the General Government, and the functions of the Council being j . reduced to merely expending local rates. He j was not an owner of property at the Bluff, but, being a large exporter of wool and other produce, he was interested deeply in its welfare. He had had no idea of opposing Mr Wood, until he had Been statements in the papers, made by Mr Wood, which were untrue, and, as he was ona of the class referred to, he felt it a duty to come forward and correct them. Mr Wood had said the squatters opposed re-union, in tho hope of seeing the land forced into the market at a reduced price. This was simply false. There was a letter in that morning's paper showing that they were prepared to purchase largely at the present price, provided the money were expended on public WO rks a railway to the Mataura— that was sufficient contradiction of Mr Wood's statement. He thought the terms proposed for re-union very liberal. If other means to overcome the difficulty could be devised, he would prefer to maintain our independence, foiling that he would accept re-union, with a guarantee that the conditions would be faithfully observed by Otago. Mr Webßter then answered several questions put to l»im by electors present. Tho usual vote, however, on being pnt to the meeting, was declared lost.

The nomination of candidates for the representation of Campbelltown in the Provincial Council, took place at the Courthouse at noon on the 9th inst. After the Writ had been read by the Returning Officer, Messrs &co. Webster and Wm. Wood were duly proposed and seconded. Both gentlemen shortly addressed the electors, after which, a show of hands was taken, and declared to.be in favor of Mr Wood. A.polltraa demanded on behalf ot Mr Webster.

The polling for the return of a member for Campbelltown district has resulted in the return of Mr Wood, the numbers being— Wood, 21, •Webster, 19.

The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Waianiwa district took place on the 11th inst., when Captain Howell, and Mr W. A. Lyon, were duly proposed and seconded, the former being the anti, and the latter the prounion candidate. Mr Lyon has been returned by a narrow majority.

Mr G. M. Sell, of Waimea Plains, a candiaafce for the representation of Oteramiki in the Provincial Council, met the electors of the Seaward Bush portion of the district at Bay Bush, on Friday, Bth inßt. In an able address Mr Bell stated hii views to the meeting ; and after a series of questions by Messrs Mackay, Nicolson, Denniston, and M'Leod, it was moved by Mr Nicolson, seconded by Mr Mackay, and carried unanimously—" That Mr Bell was a fit and proper person to represent the district of Oteramika in the Provincial Council."

The result of the polling in the Aparima district has been the return of Messrs Gillow and Basstian, the numbers being as follow :— Gillow, 39 ; Baestiao, 32 ; Lyon, 29 ; Hodgkinson, 23. Meisra Gillow and Lyon were re-anion candidates, and Messrs Basstian and Bodgkinson anti-union. In returning thanks, Mr Basstian said, if he saw the majority of the people desired re-union, he. •hould support it.

Mr Blacklock met the electors of Waihopai at the Theatre Royal on the 12th inst. Although the meeting was only arranged to take place late in the afternoon, when Mr Blacklock found himself precluded from addressing the electors at the hustings, owing to the time occupied by preceding speakers — the lower portion of the house wu crowded. Mr Kingslaud occupied the chair. Mr Blacklock, having explained the present state of the pro. rince with reference to iti liabilities and ' assets, said that he was not deadly opposed to re-union. He was, however, opposed to hasty legislation on so important a subject, and blamed the extreme advocates of both sides, the one for their precipitancy in .rushing headlong into an irrevocable union, and the other . for then* violent opposition to re-union on any terms. Seeing there was no necessity for immediate decision —as reunion could not possibly . take place until next meeting of Assembly — he was inclined to adopt an intermediate and moderate course of action. He would like to try and discover a way out of our difficulties for ourselves, and, seeing that we had ample assets, and great natural resources, this might be accomplished. He would therefore suggest the full and free discussion of the question at the first meeting of Council, reserving their decision until the second meeting, When, if our position bad not improved in the interim, he would pledge himself to vote for re-union. Referring to the question of immediate relief, he said neither Otago nor the General Government could grant us that without previous legislation. Otago would

require to get the sanction of the Council, also of tho Assembly, while the hands of the General Government were tied by the Public Revenues Act, which prohibited the expenditure of morey

not appropriated. The only thing the General

Government could do would be to allow our interest and sinking fund to accumulate. Touching the scheme, claimed by a rival candidate, Mr Wilson, as his own, of the railway being taken over by the General Government as colonial property, he said this idea had originated with himself, and been mentioued by him in the Council Chamber. He had also impressed the same upon the members of the General Government when at Wellington, about the last grant of land, and had got the Ministry to acknow- ' ledge its feasibility and justness. The provinces were never meant to carry out such extensive undertakings, and the Q-eneral Government was to blame for ever having allowed them to enter so largely upon < borrowing powers, lie believed the possession j of railways by the colony would be an advantage j when she required to go into the money market, how many miles of railway have you ? being one of the first questions asked by capitalists, railways being looked upon as reproductive works — and | for this reason Victoria borrowed much cheaper than New Zealand did. He spoke at considerable length on our own railway matters, being listened to throughout with marked attention. At the conclusion of his speech, a number of questions were put and satis f actorily answered, after which a vote of thanks to Mr Blacklock, and another to the Chairman, terminated the proceedings.

During the alterations to the Exchange Buildings, the clock erected there has not been going. Since these have been completed, it has been taken down and thoroughly cleaned and oiled. The clock is now placed upon a new and stronger stand, so that the vibration of the building will not disturb the works. A patent copper cord, presented by Mr R. Tapper, has taken the place of the native flax formerly used, so that sudden stoppages, through breakage of the cord, will now be avoided. The clock has been placed in the hands of E. P. Butts, Esq., who has authorised Mr Renwick to collect subscriptions for its purchase for the public.

Some much-needed repairs hare been made by the prisoners to the grating near the Carriers' Arms Hotel, Dee-street. We hope it will be one of the first duties of the new Council to initiate some municipal scheme, which will compel absentee proprietors to contribute something towards the maintenance of the footpaths.

The following is a description of the lighthouse in the course of erection at the Nuggets : — The lighthouse is to be erected on a well'defined knoll, about 240 feet high, at the outer extremity of Nugg3t Point, the Southern limit of Molyneux Bay -£« 46 __deg. -27 min-. ilouth. latitude, and 169 deg. 51 mm. East longitude, as measured on the Admiralty chart). The light will show to seaward over an arc of about 225 deg., and will be a fixed white light of the first order dioptric. The light will be elevated about 252 feet above the sea level, and will be visible in clear weather about 23 nautical miles, allowing 15 feet tor the height of the observer's eye, and at lesser distancet according to the state of the atmosphere. The tower will be of stone, and painted to suit the background. It will be 31 feet in height from the ground to the top of the lantern.

The drought in the Oamaru district is, owing to its steady continuance, beginning to be looked upon in a serious light by the farmers, as unless rain falls soon, the crops will be much injured. During the past week the weather in the district has been of an unsettled character, notwithstanding which but a small quantity of rain has fallen.

The Southern Cross of the 24th ult. says :— " Two hundred and sixty-two passengers arrived yesterday in this harbor and the Manukau, from Southern Ports and Sydney. The s.s. Lord Ashley, from the South, brought 77 ; the s.s. John Perm, from Hokitika, Westport, and Nelson, 122 ; the s.s.. Stormbird, from Whanganui, 17 ; and the barque Novelty, from Sydney, 46.

The Otago Daily Times of the 4th inst. understands that " about 200 writs have been issued for the recovery of sums due to the Immigration Department, and judgment obtained in each case. It would be well for those persons who have not made fresh arrangements for the payment of sums due by them to do so at once, in order to save \he Court expenses, &c. Any reasonable proposal, we believe, will be agreed to, as there is no desire on the part of the Government to deal harshly with the debtors."

Less than a halfpenny a mile per steamer is wonderfully cheap for New Zealand, but that is, it appears, the fare from Auckland to the Thames. Our authority is the " New Zealand Herald," which reports : — " On Thursday a bellman was employed to announce the fact that the s.s. Prince Alfred and John Fenn would take passengers to ihe Thames for two shillings. This Bonorous functionary was succeeded by another to announce the additional fact that the Duke of Edinburgh steamer would take passengers to the Thames for one shilling. The sailing distance to the Thames may be computed at about fifty miles, so that the fares are respectively less than id. and £d. per mile. Although we are at the other end of the world, we are certainly keeping pace with it in the matter of locomotion, The parliamentary rate ceases to be a wonder in the presence of such facts as we hare recorded above."

A correspondent of iheDunstan Times, writing from Alexandra, Bays that a bed of guano of considerable extent nas been discovered by some Chinese on the side of the precipitous range failing into the Molyneux, a short distance from that township. The fortunate discoverers appear to be making a fine thing out of it, as they are selling it at the rate of £40 per ton, and a good demand at that price.

The manufacture of flax-machines is now one of the local industries of Oamaru.

la reviewing the Wesfcland County Auditor's report, the Q-rey ißLiver Argus sayS;i— " The 1 financial position of the County, as defined by the Auditor, ii not very cheering, still it isjiot jml bad as it seems. It is quite v evi3enfc that very large reductions in the erpendifcaro will have to be made, and that the greatest care and forethought will have to be exercised in deciding upon what public works are to be constructed. The public will have to be content with the temporary stoppage of many desirable works, :but it would be sheer madness to plunge further into that vortex of difficulties which appear to threaten the very existence of the County."

Mr Alexander M. Thomson, lecturer oh mineralogy at the University of,' Sydney, has (says a Melbourne paper) rendered an essential and opportune service to till persons engaged in the search for gold, silver, copper, lead, coal, precious stones, and valuable ores of every rlosonptiuu, by tlio publication of a pamphlet, entitled a Guide to Mineral Explorers, in which he describes the chemical and physical characters of the various ores, the modes of testing them, the sites in which they are found, and the uses to which they are applicable. Information of this kind is to be met with in expensive treatises ; but Mr Thomson's serviceable little handbook, which is published by Messrs Sands and M'Dougall, brings it within the reach of everybody, and all persons engaged in prospecting should provide themselves with this vade mecum.

The chief Bapata Eaihau, who has recently visited Tawhiao, has supplied the Southern Cross with some information regarding the feeling of Tawhiao with respect to Ohinemuri. Bapata says — " Tawhiao has stated that his word to all the tribes is that they must lay down the sword until 1870, in order to give the natives time to see what the Europeans intend to do with regard to Ohinemuri. If the Europeans rush Ohinemuri. the King will then consider that he has a take (cause) for revenging the death of his relatives at Bangiriri." Bapata further says that Tawhiao | has proclaimed that " the right hand must keep j to the right hand, and the left to the left ;" " the right " signifying the natives, and " the left " the Europeans. If the right should interfere with the left, the latter are to combine together and make an effort to crash the right. We give this Btory simply as we have received it, and do not vouch for its correctness.

The beautifully calm and genial weather on the sth must have been a s jurce of disappointment to those terror-mongers who had depicted all the devastation that was to be wrought on " Saxby's day." There was not even a perceptible increase of the tide to chronicle ; but perhaps Mr Saxby was a little " out" in his calculations, and " the moon may not yet be in that point of her orbit which is nearest to the earth," the assigned cause of the atmospheric disturbances which were to be expected.

Some time ago we (Wdkatip Mail) remarked that the mining interest was assuming a better position ; — that it was emerging once more from a period of depression. We are glad to see that the assertions then made are being practically borne out. The escorts have been gradually on the increase, the last one from Queenstown being 1100 ozs., and from the Arrow, 600 ozs. Of this quantity 80 ozs. was reef gold from Skippers. It is satisfactory to know that this increase is likely to be sustained, and that it ia not due to exceptional causes, such as the influx of Chinese. The Cromwell escort is also steadily increasing, the last being 633 ozs. ; while that of Clyde is moat unfortunately decreasing, and that alarmingly.

A careful addition of the quantities exported in the various vessels leaving the port of Lyttelton between the Ist of March and the 2nd of September, gives the following (says the Lyttelton Times) : — Wheat, 253,742 bushels ; oats, 120,020 bushels ; barley, 109,381 bushels ; potatoes, 844 tons. In addition to which, we have exported from Timaru, up to August 21 : — Wheat, 55,757 bushels ; oats, 31,999 bushels ; barley, 3589 bushels. Allowing the quantity exported directly out of the Province from Kaipoi to be equal to the balance of last year's crop remaining in baud on the Ist of March, we find that the total quantity and value of this year's crop exported, is as follows : — Wheat, 309,499 bushels at 4s, £6L,899 16s ; oats, 152,019 bushels at 2s 6d, £19,002 7s 6d ; barley, 112,970 bushels at 4s 6d, £25,418 ss ; potatoes, 844 tons at £3, £2,532 ; giving a total value of £108,852 83 6d.

There are three candidates in the field for the office of Superintendent of Taranaki, and each has published a long address to the electors. Mr Richmond regrets having yielded too much of his power into the hands of his opponent, " the Provincial Secretary, and member for the town of New Plymouth," and promises that, if re-elected, he will not fall into a like mistake again. Mr Kelly goes in for economy, strict and impartial justice, and no yielding to the unreasonable demands of the natives ; whilst Mr Carrington declares that he is once more prepared to show how roads and bridges can be made without local taxation. If (says a contemporary) our Taranaki friends could have a cast of the three candidates through their iron-sand furnace, they might stand a chance of running off one tolerably fair Superintendent, always providing that the ore ran free.

We (Oamaru Times) notice that an experimental shipment of 100 bushels o£ malt, manufactured at Mr Hassell's recently erected malt- works here, has been taken by the brig Our Hope, to the Melbourne market. We shall be glad to learn that the result is favorable. There is little doubt that it will be so, as we understand that Mr HasselTs malt has been used with good results at the Victoria Brewery here.

The following are the rates at which Bay of Islands coal is sold in Auckland city : — Best screened, 28s ; unscreened, 265 ; aud slack coa for steam engines, &c, £1 per ton.

In *bme remarks on the question of the election of tfie next Superintendent for OUgo. the TnapeJca Times says:-" There is one man. indeed, to whom all eyes are turned. But this man, whose whole career has beon a noble sacrifice of self for the public weal, in whom men of all classes and creeds have the most confidence, whose name is associated with the cause of enligfitened reform and social progress ; this man, we *eed hardly say, is not to be found among the mob of n">isy and greedy aspirants. Mr Justice Wilson Gray occupies an honorably won »Mition, although rather equal to his modesty than Ps merit. He is known to be averse to again mingling in the bustle of political warfare, but at a crisis like the present his scruples and modesty mast give way to the general belief that he is the only man who can occupy the post of Superintendent in a manner beneficial to the Province. Mr Wilson Gray has made personal sacrifice^, for the public good, and now the , general voice of the people calls upon him to • make perhaps the greatest of any. Still, we j believe that when the time comes he will not flinch from the responsibility thrust upon him, and undertake to inaugurate an era of confidence and purity, instead of one of distrust and corruption."

The following reserve is made in the Province of Southland, ty his Excellency the Governor, under the provsions of the " Universities Endowment Act, 1858" : — " All that parcel of land containing ten thousand (10,000) acres, more or less, bounded towards the North and North-west by the Hedgehope Stream ; towards the West by the western boundaries of Sections numbered thirty-one #1) and thirty-three (33), Block one (t), Forest Hill District, one thousand four hundred and thirty-one (1,431) links, and two thousand eight hundred and ninety-six (2,896) links respectively : towards the South by the Titipua Stream ; and on the East by a straight line parallel to the production of the line dividing the Mabel District from the Lothian District

through Pebbly Hill, and distant from that line four thousand (4,000) links to the eastward thereof. Except so much of the parcel of land herein described as is occupied by public roads, and except the reserve lying between the Sections numbered thirty (30) «nd thirty-one (31) of Block one (1) in the said Forest Hill District and adjoining the Hedgehope Stream."

The Nelson Examiner drawing attention to the rapid growth of the New Zealand Statute Book, writes : — " On closing the Assembly His Excellency the Governor gave his assent to 52 Acts, which, with 24 we have seen in print, makes 76 Acts for the session. But we are by no means certain that this comprises all the Acts that were passed, as others, not yet published, may have been assented to. But assuming the whole number passed this session to be the number stated, these added to 94 passed in 1867, and 81 passed in 1868, give 25 1 new Acts in three years. These are in addition to tbe Acts yearly passed by nine provinces." The Examiner appropriately utters the following " moral" : — " Surely, there never before was a country so prolific in new laws."

The Dunstan Times of the 24th ult. says :— " We are rejoicing in the possession of warm, even hot weather. This early summer is, we are, however, afraid only a foretaste of what is to come

— A hot, dry, rainless one, similar to the one of 1861-2, would exercise a most depressing effeot upon the mining interest, and especially upon the sluicers. There is now no hope for a fall of snow, and that resource is gone. In the Lake District, the fall of snow this winter has been extremely light, but, as it rains more in that district than with us, we will probably not have the compensating influence of the rivers reaching a low level. Had the Provincial Government system allowed of anything but boasts, empty talk, ox the placing of problematical votes on the estimates, we might have had one or two of the long talked of reservoirs completed, and a gain to the province as well as the district in the result thereof."

In speaking of the Nelson Patent Slip or Dry Dock, for which tenders are advertised (the Government of the Province guaranteeing ten per cent, for ten years, on a capital of £25,000) the Colonist says :— " It is the opinion of experts in these matters that a moderate outlay of, say £5000, would, of itself, construct a Patent Slip, sufficient to meet all the wants of this port.'

During the sitting of the Supreme Court at Auckland, says the Southern Cross, two gentlemen distinguished in their respective walks of life were amongst the auditors. One was Colonel Thompson, who took the 58th Regiment to England from this place. He must have noticed a very marked difference in this city now from that it was in when he left. The other was Mr Moorhouse, late Superintendent of Canterbury, a man of acknowledged ability and enterprise. We understand that Mr Moorhouse, who is a lawyer, intends to commence practising his profession in this province.

The influx of population to the Thames goldfield is causing a considerable demand for fat stock, and a consequent rise in price. The Wairarapa district, in the Province of Wellington, is benefitting by the requirement, as the following extract from the local journal will show : — " As a proof of the rise in the price ot cattle, we may mention that, a short time ago, a large owner sold the privilege of selecting 100 head out of the herd at £7 10s a head. Now the price of picking 80 or 100 head out of the same herd (less of course the original 100) has risen to £9. Tnis may be looked upon as being equivalent to an increase of 26 per cent.

Very rich specimens of galena ore were discovered, on the 18th ulh, near the shaft of the Mount Coora Copper Mining Company, Gympie, and magnificent samples from the lode were brought in. Twenty tons weight o.f quartz, from the South Lady Mary yielded H67oz smelted gold.

Among the passenger* by the steamer Gothen-

burg, on her last trip from Melbourne toDunedin, were three young Chinese women — the first; of their sex, according to the Tuapeka Fresa that have come to Otago from the Flowery Land. They were disguised in male attire, but a close observer could detect, in their voices and general demeanour, as well as in their petite appearance, unmistakeable evidence* of their real sex. They arrived in Lawrence by the coach on Tuesday last, leaving their fellow-passengers of the sterner sex to come on by waggon from Dunedin. On the way up it became necessary, at a bad portion of the road, for the occupants of the coach to alight and proceed for some distance on foot ; but the fair Celestials, when left to their own resources, could only manage to locomote slowly and with great difficulty, owing to the fact that, in common with all Chinese females, they possess feet more remarkable for deformity than for utility. We understand that all three of the ladies are married, and have come hither te join fnelrßusbantfoi

Mr Carleton, the well-known member of the House of thus writes to the leading journal in Auckland : — lt is in no spirit of vain braggadocio that I write these words. No one, from the North Cape to Stewart's Island, can any longer pretend to doubt of the future which lies before us. Great, comparatively, as is the work already done at Thames, it is as nothing compared with what remains to be effected. We are operating upon one end only of a gold-bearing range, which, in the opinion of the most reliable authorities, extends to Taupo. Flax, which baffled us by its intractability for some five-and-twenty years, has suddenly become an article of export to which no reasonable limits can be assigned. No one out of employment ; no one, at least, who has the courage to work ; the very children dressing flax, are a support'to We "Household, instead of being a bnrden upon' it- That population (I allude more especially to the Waikato immigrants), wh. ; ch jfour^ years ago jiva^ to tfieTProvince and a misery to the Provincial Government, urging claims for relief which the Government could not but acknowledge, but had not the means to meet, — now uncomplaining, and a source of substantial strength. Whereas, a short twelve months ago, every third house in the town and suburbs of Auckland, was unoccupied, house room is DOW to seek ; while the fees on writs, which then were averaging from £20 to £90 a week, have dwindled down to some two or three. The only people out of work are the bailiffs of the Sheriff's Court, whose livelihood is gone.

A distressing story comes from Tapanui. The local correspondent of the Tuapeka Time* writes that Captain M'Kenzie has for some time had a man in his employment, whose work was to fell timber in the bush. This person lived all alone, and utterly absent from anything like society. Somo time ago, while pursuing his vocation, he was crashed by the fall of a dry tree. His condition was pitiable, for one of his arms and one of the small bones of his leg, were broken, and his left side completely paralysed. No assistance was at hand, and the poor maimed felloe bad to drag his weary body to his hut in a condition that made the slightest motion agony. By sticking his axe in the ground he succeeded in reaching the hut, a distance of nearly a mil* from the scene of the accident. But Xi» tortures were not over, were indeed but begun. For »; s ui long days he lay, weak and exhausted, and almost dead ot starvation. .His spirits were failing ; he believed himself doomed, and wa» fast sinking into a fatal lethargy, when a loud cooey struck upon his ears. It was the bullock driver come for a load of timber. The poor fellow was saved, and is progressing favorably under the treatment of Dr. M'Laughlan.

Yesterday (says the Daily Times of the Bth) was the last of the three days on which, according to Lieutenant Saxby's prediction, unusually high tides and atmospheric disturbances were to be expected. Contrary to hia statement, however, aa well as to popular expectation, the period named by him haa only been marked by the calmness and unusual brilliance of the weather ; while instead of the tidea rising higher, they hare ebbed lower than usual. Should the three days from November 1 to 3 be similarly fine, Mr Saxby's reputation will ebb very low indeed.

Some very rich stone (says the Otago Times) has been taken from the recently discovered quartz reef at the Upper* Nevis, at a depth of thirty feet from the surface. The gold, says the Dunstan Times, is of a coarse character, and exists in the solid stone; Messrs M'Morran and Smitham, the fortunate owners, are in high spirits, and well they may be, as the present prospects are most favourable. The reef has been struck at several depths from the surface, and in every instance the stone contained gold ; it is of a uniform thickness of about eighteen inches, and dipping slightly to the west.

The Bendigo Independent says that a nugget weighing 28oz 3dwt 6gr was found on the 23rd ult. at the back of Kolle's store, on the Sheepwash, by a man named Griffiths. Depth of sinking, 3ft 6in.

The Thames goldfields do not appear to absorb the floating capital of Auckland, as we observe that " a prospectus has been issued for the formation of a new brewery, under the title of the Auckland Brewery Company (Registered), with a capital of £20,000, divided into 4,000 shares of £5 each. £2 10 ato be paid up."

The planting of trees has been commenced on a large scale by one or two gentlemen in the Lake district. The local journal states that Messrs Robertson and Co. have pown with gum tree seeds a ten-acre paddork near Hayes Falls, interspersed with which are about 700 one and two-year old gum and a number of Scotch fir trees. In the same commendable spirit, Mr Goldston, of Arrowtown, and Mr H. J. Cope, Hayes Lake, have planted extensive nurseries of splendid fruit trees of nearly ewery description.

_ The members of the Westland County Connml are evidently at a loss to^oecide what rtdfuTOi^ hold in legislative assemblies. The West Coatt Time* records the following discussion on this point : — A rather amusing episode occurred J*»fc evening during the very lengthy and extremely dull sitting ofthe County Council. Mr Button, whether from his corporation onnestion, custom, or otherwise, several times applied the term "councillor " instead of " honorable member " to members of the body, a proceeding at which Mr R. Beeves took great umbrage, and said that Mr Button, ever since his return, had always tried to degrade the County Council to the level of that one he (Mr Button) presided over. Mr Button, totto vooe, remarked that that was impossible, an utterance that still more inflamed Mr Reeves' wrath, and induced him to produce the Standing Orders, wherein it was laid down that, as far at possible, the Council's proceedings should be conducted like other legislative bodies, arguing, therefore, that the term hon, member was correct. The matter dropped for a short time, when Mr 'Bncron-mmi uea u> me attook, wing an illustration from Cobbefct in rapport of his proposition, arguing that only members of the General Assembly were entitled to the appellation ; and stating that the County Council was only a corporate body, who should better understand their real position, and not try to usurp names that they had no right to. He disclaimed any wish to bring the Council into contempt, but thought it more manly for them to occupy their proper position, and call a spade a spade. The Chairman thought that the matter had best not have been referred to by either party and no more was said ; but Mr Button persistently " councillored," and Mr Reeves " bon. membered," during the rest oi the evening, to the great amusement of the audience and the uninterested councillors.

We i»k©-t*Kr-flHrowinfc rro«* — n-- «., ,, T , Cross of the 24th ult. : — " Truly the footpath* in Auckland are in a deplorable condition, and it leading thoroughfares, as the voluntary system of half-payment by landlords and half by the City Board has entirely failed to meet the necessities of the city. In Queen-street, the causeways are remarkable for their general unevenneas and pleasing variety of scoria ash, flagstones, native mud, and asphalte. But even these are not the only evils that confront the luckless pedestrian in his journeys, for at certain parts huge trap* doors yawn, which are especially dangerous to absent-minded individuals, who, perhaps speculating on the late rise in Long Drives, stumble over the edge of one of these man-traps and experience the inconvenience of a fall. Our authorities are exceedingly backward in performing any work the expense of which has to be defrayed by themselves; but we should suppose there could be no objection raised bj them to compelling others to make improve* ments, and we are sure that property-holders generally would not olyect to any step being taken by wbi<* » uniform method of making and po/fng for pavements could be instituted, as their property would thereby be enhanced in value, and one landlord would not be placed at the mercy of the adjoining property-holder as at present, who may block up the entrance to a good footpath by neglecting to keep his own frontage in proper repair.

Mr O'Connor has returned from his visit to Taw* biao (says thecorrespondentof theShortland Times) and I have been furnished with the following particulars concerning it : — O'Connor proceeded from Ohinemuri to Ohinerao, where the natives seemed to approve of his mission (whatever it might be) and gave him an additional pass, as well as three horses to help him on his road. At Te Wahana he met with William Thomson's son, ' who told him that his work was a good one, and, in the language of the pakeha, " wished him good luck." Upon arriving at Wharepapa, near Maungatau* tari, where the aukati commences, the natives, finding out who it was — O'Connor's reputation had evidently preceded him— permitted him to pass, and he shortly afterwards arrived at Xorohunga, where Mr Hettit lives. Mr Hettit observed that Mr O'Connor might consider himself very much honored, as he was the only gentleman who had been permitted to pass the aukati. O'Connor remained three days at Mr Hettit's, during which time he was visited by the Princess Sophia. At the expiration of three days a messenger arrived from the king, and O'Connor visited Tawhiao, and had a long korero with him. Tawhiao, I hare been told, approved of his visitor's views, and at O'Connor's departure presented him with a handsome greenstone ornament.

An amalgamation of the two newspapers published at Lawrence is announced to take place after the end of the current month, when the Press will be incorporated with the Times.

In an article on the large additions which are almost daily being made to the Chinese resident* on the gold-fields of Otago, the Dunstan Time* says :— The evil effects that so many delighted to prophecy would result from the presence of the Chinese on our goldfields, have never yet made themselves apparent} quite the opposite has been the result, and experience has proved that in a moral sense, the despisel Mongolians bear very favorable comparison with their European confreres. We find them frugal, industrious, and pains-taking, and satisfied with small gains, which quality enables them to work ground that otherwise would be lying idle and unproductive. We find by the Bendigo Independent, which contains an interesting article on the Chinese, that a rate of remuneration is sufficient for them, which in our case would be inadequate ; it gives their weekly earnings as follows : — Doctors, £1 ; Carpenters, £1 ; Blacksmiths, £1 j Shoemakers, £1 ; Barbers, £1 10s ; Diggers, 10s ; Store* keepers, £1 10s. That large importations of these useful colonists will find their way into th» jProviuoe, there is every reason to b* assured.

The Daily Times of the 13th inst. says :— Mr Brunton, C.E., has sent in his report on the proposed Port Chalmers Railway. We believe he estimates the coat of the line, including rolling stock and a stone jetty at the Port, at about £80 000. The prospectus of the proposed company will be issued so soon as the Executive have taken steps for carrying into effect the vote of the Council, by setting apirt a block of land as collateral security for the guarantee of eight per cent." Cook's centenary was marked at Queenstown by tie display of bunting on the " shipping in the harbor." ' at Oamara on the 9th insfc., between the tnacruue which won the race in Melbourne (imported by a resident), and one of local manufacture. Th. latter came in a winner by 300 yards, having accomplished the distance— one mUe— in seven minutes. It seems, however, that the winning velocipede had a driving wheel of some H inch greater diameter than the other, an important advantage as regards speed.

Albury rinegrower (says a Victorian paper) ■who has lately visited New Zealand, has brought back with him a hundredweight or two of New Zealand flax (pTiormium tenaxj, to be used in thi tying up of vines. The price at which this new material can be imported is said to be cheaper than either stringy bark or string, while it is at the same time strong and durable.

The Brisbane Courier expresses an opinion that the Queensland Government intend to lose no timft in pushing on the electric telegraph line to Carpentaria. Tenders are called for the construction of a line from fWHw«ll t« *K. a;iboi t goldfielris, and thence by Normanton, on the Norman Eiver, in the gulf of Carpentaria. The tenders are to be in on the Ist of December, and from the date of acceptance thereof the line is to he completed within twelve months. A correspondent in the WaiJcouaiti Serald gives a brief account of Mr Rich's meeting at Palmeraton. At the close, an adverse resolution was proposed and seconded, when " the chairman (Mr F. Dillon Bell) having failed to get any amendment proposed, very artfully brought the meeting to a close without putting the resolution." Mr Bell then attempted to address those assembled, but was met with " a regular burst of confusion," in which shouts of " gotothe Mataura" ■were alone distinguishable, Coupled with theories of a disturb raxn Meating most furiOU9ly. The »,,-i;»r,ooi— «~tett IBeTrdom, TO* Bell followed

them to the street, where he addressed those who would listen for half an hour.

• -mj;s jxrzi'd7~zzZ7iSri? Oc me iotn July reports that " the news from the goldfields is saddening and discouraging in the extreme." From the same journal we learn that " the persistent refusal of the Lieutenant- Governor to lay on the table of the House the correspondence relating to {he Kaffir marriage law has called forth a strong expression of feeling on the part of the elective members, who, in opposition to all the influence brought to bear by the Executive, have carried four strongly-worded resolutions, highly condemnatory of the unconstitutional conduct of the Governor."

The Melbourne magistrates set a -very good example to their brethren of the Bench by refusing to entertain a charge of "insulting behavior" brought by the lnndlord of an hotel againßt a drunken man, whom he had himself served with liquor. As soon as the charge had been entered upon, Mr Panton pertinently inquired of the offended publican whether the prisoner was drunk when Vie entered the hotel, and, on receiving the reply that "h e was not Bober," the worthy magistrate told the prosecutor that he ought not to hare supplied liquor to a drunken man, and summarily dismissed the case. An idea of the terrible scourge the small-pox ia to the human family may be gathered from a report in the last number of the Mail. At an inquest held on the body of a child, who hud died from erisypelas following vaccination, the coroner said that during the last century at least forty-five millions of persons had died from Bfllttll-pOX. One of the greatest novelties at the forthcoming agricultural exhibition (says the Qeelong Advertiser) wll probably be the "ferret show." A subscription list opened at the Victoria Hotel for prizes is rapidly filling in, and ferrets have been promised from all parts. The great difficulty, we imagine, will be the appointment of judges. Contrary to general expectation, the Roslin election has resulted in the return of Messrs Kinross and Dalrymple, the numbers being — Kinross, 62 ; Dalrymple, 44 ; "Webster, 37. One of the four Waikato natives recently murdered by Te Kooti is reported to have been Tauerau, a brother of Wirenue Toetoe, who accompanied Dr Hochstetter to Europe in the frigate Novara. The nomination of candidates for the town of Kirerton came off, at the Court-house, on Thursday, 14th inst., as per advertisement. There was a goodly attendance, and a lively interest was manifested in the proceedings. The candidates were proposed in the following order : — Mr Nurse proposed, and Mr Stevens seconded, Dr Hodgkinson ; Mr Gk Reid, jun., proposed, and Mr J. L. M'Donald seconded, John Petchellj Esq. ; Mr Eichard Rocke proposed, and Mr Henry Cassels seconded, L. M'Gillivray, Esq. ; Mr William Scully proposed, and Mr C. Basstian seconded, J. R. Cuthbertson, Esq. Messrs Cuthbertson and M'GKUivray addressed the electors. Mr Petchell was not in attendance, having been called from home by arrangements made previous to his receipt of the requisition. A show of hands being taken, the numbers were —Mr M'Gillivray, 16 ; Mr Petchell, 14 ; Dr Hodgi in on, 9 ; Mr Cuthbertson, 6. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer concluded the proceedings. The poll took place on Saturday la^t, with the following result : — M'Gillivray, 52 ; Petchell, 48 ; Cuthbertson, 31 ; Hodgkinson, 19

Next year (says the Melbourne Herald) a great national stocktaking will take place. The constitution of the United States requires that every ten years a census of the whole population should be taken. la the year 1790 the first enumeration of the American people took place. Since then eight censuses have been taken, and the ninth will oe completed in 1870. The Americans have shown themselves thoroughly alive to the importance of this work. They are making preparations so that it may be accomplished with the utmost exactitude, aud in a manner that will best nhow the present condition of the nation as com pared with its state at the taking of the last census.

As evidencing the richness of some of the claims at the Thames, tha Auckland Herald ■ays :— The dividends paid by the Long Drive Company since the 20th June last amount to £24 per scrip, on each of which scrips the sum of £3 Ss 8d only has been paid up. Let us take the working of one machine for a twelvemonth, though during four months of that time it was Dot working more than half-time— it is called Souter's battery— and we shall find that the total quantity of stone crushed for a twelvemonth was 2,765 tons 8 cwts., comprising quartz from sixty different claims. The yield of gold from this quantity is 27,4800z5. Bdwts. 14grs., or 1 ton S nw f , ißcNrt 0 . 1 gr. of goU. It will be seen that the average yield of the stone was very high, nearly ten ounces of gold for every ton of stone crushed at that machine. There needs no argument to show that the sixty claims which sent the above stone to be crushed must have some very rich quartz in them — rich enough to make handsome fortunes for the fortunate owners under proper management.

A correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes : — " Since the discovery of gold in this province, experienced diggers have frequen tly expressed their belief in the existjnce of quirtz reefs in the Chain Hills. Their opinion has been amply verified by the discovery of at least threo well-defined; reefs containing auriferous indications, so far as mundic being plentifully dispersed in the stone. Recently a gentlemiu of mining experience visited one of them, and upon examination, expressed his opinion that gold-bearing quartz would be obtained from, a spot indicated, but which would necessitate ™n«der»Wo uuil»j in cue excavation. To work it, he suggests the formation of a company in £5 shares, and is confident of ultimate success, the owner of the ground being [favorable to the project. Not far from the sanw locality another reef, said to be auriferous, has been dis covered by an old Victorian miner, the situation of which is for the present kept incog., but is believed to traverse the whole township of Little Dunedin. The gulließ in the vicinity are well known to contain gold in payable quantities, evidently at no great distance from the matrix, bei lg shotty and little waterworn. The proprietors of thp ground are naturally averse to digging, for the holes mad« were found dangerous for cattle. A gentleman successful in the development of quartz reefs up country is confident these hills will y.et jwosiva tho cognomen of the Q-oldea Chain, a presage, wlizeh it is to be hoped, will be fulfilled at no distant date.

Thames Advertiser, " that there is scarcely a member of the House who is not pecuniarily interested in the field, and a very considerable number have invested large sums in the mines. There is, therefore, no disguising the fact that some undue influence has been brought to bear on the matter, which has served to deprive us of what we had just grounds to demand [a port of entry] should be conceded to us. Tt is said, and we think with some truth, that the influence of certain Auckland merchants was brought to bear on the question, because it was one affecting their pockets. A direct import would deprive them of a number of excessive charges now imposed upon the tradespeople of the Thames, and paid indirectly by the hardworking miners on the Thames. Their only alternative, therefore, was an effort to ward off the blow aimed at this tax upon the people of the district by shelving the question, and not entitling us to a privilege accorded to every othe r locality having any pretensions to trade."

A Ceylon paper discourses as follows on tho bukject of climatic changes in Anstralia : — The Australian colonists need not, perhaps, despair of turning their dry country into one of the finest climates in the world, as, with a regular and sufficient supply of rain, it would be. That remarkable region, which contained or produced naturally less than auy other country for the subsistence of a people, seems so adapted that man may there produce whatever can be produced anywhere else, and make whatever sort of a country of it he chooses. By planting forests there wo may bring rain sufficient for our purposes, and by producing and planting only valuable trees, there will be little of the useless vegetation which occupies the ground in other countries, giving only trouble in cleaning it away when this is wanted. The forests or trees may be put where most convenient, or arranged in belts and rows to serve for shade and shelter. Once get an improvement in the climate well begun, and it may go and spread itself till the country be covered with forests, and have plenty of rain over most part of it ; though, according to Maury's theory of winds and rains, most of it must be .naturally dry, the west central parts especially.

The West Coast Times saya : — " We are informed by Mr Davis, the Inspector of Weights and Measures, that a novel system of cheating the public is being adopted by some grocers. He states that a peculiar kind of " foiled " paper is in use, a sheet of which, only large enough to wrap up half a pound of tea, weighs an ounce all but a sixteenth. Mr Davis intends to communicate with the Attorney-General upon the matter."

In a paper recently read before the Agricultural Society of Auckland, by Mr T. Robertson, of that city, that gentleman stated that with a view to ascertain whether the green pulp left in the operation of flax dressing was suitable as food for animals, he had given some to several horses which were at the time being fed upon oats. The result was most satisfactory, inasmuch as the horses at once left the oats for the pulp, which they appeared to relish exceedingly.

The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society have received from the purser o( the ship Hydaspes the present of a pair of hedgehogs, baing the first of their species introduced into the province. While great things in the way of destroying grubs and other insects are expected from them, it is considered doubtful whether these advantages will not be counterbalanced by their destruction of eggs and young birds.

I The Britze Standard says : — We direct the attention of our readers to the report of the Com. mission in the matter of the re-union of Southland with Otago, published in another column. We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr J. L. Gillies for a copy, and after a careful perusal of it, we confess to have changed our opinion to some extent as to the desirability of annexation' and are now disposed to be farorable to the idea, as the basis of re-union seems very fair and equitable to both Provinces.

Mr T. J. White requests ua to state that, on account of his removal to Winton, he will not be able to continue the reading of Divine Service at Gladstone. He trusts, however, that the Hey. Mr Tanner will find some one to take his place, as it would be a pity, after so" much trouble has been taken to get the congregation together, that they should be deprived of the services of a reader. Great credit is duo to Mr White for !-his anxiety in this matter. Some of our readers will remember how that gentleman labored in this cause m the early days of In vercargill— a handsome service of plate being presented to him by the congregation of St. John's Church as ah ackndwledgment of his zeal. The nomination of candidates 'for' the representation of the Roslin District in the Provincial Council, took place at the Bchool-house, Mavis Bush, Thursday, 14th inst., when there was a very good attendance of electors. After the Returning Officer had read the Writ, Mr George Dawson proposed, nnd Mr James M'Kay seconded, Mr Andrew Kinros3 as a fib and proper person to repiesent the district. Mr George Webster was then proposed by Mr Bobert Hamilton, and seconded by Mr Alexander Koss. Mr P. Dalrymple was proposed by Mr Dennis Tobin, and seconded by Mr Jas. Millar. Mr J. Ross was proposed by Mr J. Cavanajh, seconded by Mr R. Hamilton. The candidates afterwards severally addressed the electors, Mr Ross : it" mating that he retired in favor of Mr Webster. After the speeches, a show of hands was called for, and declared to be in favor of Messrs Kinross and Dalrymple, and the poll which tnr»fc place next day confirmed tliis decision.

The Waihopai election has resulted in the return of two members in the re-union intereßt — Messrs Wilson and Johnston. The contest was a spirited one, showing a pretty equal division of parties. The leading candidate on the antireunion side, however, stood at great disadvan-

tage in being brought on the ground only at the last moment. With a little nore time to have made himself known to the electors of the district, he would no doubt lave been at the 1 head of the poll. Mr Blackhck'a chance, it is rumored, was lost through the defection of his own supporters, owing to some nisunderstanding as to hia intentions. Shortly afttr four o'clock, when a large crowd had collected, the Returning Officer appeared on the hustings, and announced the state of the poll as follows : — Wilson, 75 j Johnston, 61 ; Webster, 56 ; Blackiock, 48. The candidates present then briefly addressed tbt? electors in turn ; Mr Johnston, who wa9 absent unavoidably, being represented by his nominator, sc- Pratt. Mr Wilson laid great stress upon the fact that not qnlj himself, but his colleague, Mr Johnston, had been returned, he would have courted it no victory otherwise. Mr Pratt was sure Mr Johnston would discharge his duties iz the House with the same integrity and talent he had hitherto displayed. Mr Webster, personally, didn't care a fig about losing the election. He had been willing to bear his share of public duties, but if the electors thought other men better qualified than him, he was quite content, as he would thus be allowed to go home and attend to his own affairs. Mr Blacklock thanked the electors for complying with his request to place him either at the top or bottom ofthe poll. They had done the latter, and he felt quite satisfied with the result, as he was desirous of retiring from polifcicel life. A meeting of the committee of the Acclimatisation Society was held at the Government Buildings on Friday, lOCU inß6. The Only business of importance waa the opening of tenders for the purchase of the two thousand acres of land recently granted to the Society by the General Government for the introduction of salmon. The tender of Mr Basstian for the quantity, at £1 per acre, part cash and part terms, was unanimously accepted. This will put the Society in funds at once to carry out the object in view, and the probability is that early in ih& incoming 3 eat we shall receive a shipment of ova from the Clyde direct. A letter from the Secretary of the Dunedin Society "was read, stating that our ova in their boxes was doing first-rate, a good number of fry being out and healthy. The fish in the ponds at Wallacetown are also getting on well, and on a calm evening they can be seen in considerable numbers ; fine healthy trout, many of them nearly a foot in length. Ac these fish will spawn next year, arrangements are being made to increase the size of the pond, and the volume of water running through it.

The first sale of the funds of the Western District Building and Land Society, was held on Monday evening, 11th inst. There was a large attendance of shareholders present, and the bidding was spirited. The amount disposed of was £300, a sum of £25 being retained in hand. The premium realised was £4 2s per share.

The introduction of salmon into Tasmania cost £7494, of which £995 was contributed by Victoria, and £450 by New Zealand.

The Oamaru Times says : — " We have been shown by Mr Og'dvie, o£ thia town, a machine i'ov dressing flax just turned put from his foundry. It is similar, though improved ia certain particulars, to an Auckland patent. The flax is passed through a pair of rollers, one of which is plain, the other grooved, after which it passes into a rotating drum revolving against the plain roller. At this point of the process the flax is freed from gum, and the clean fibre and debris are deposited in separate places. The machine is very simple and complete, and can be supplied at a cost of £26."

The Dunedin Evening Star says that the boxes with the ova from Tasmania were opened in the presence of Mr Kielop, the agent of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, on the Bth inst. Of the Canterbury ova about 530 were found in healthy condition. In the Southland box all were quod, and the Ofcago ova were found in splendid condition. We (Lyttelton Times) observe that Messrs McKeevor and Mann are preparing a large number of corned legs of mutton to special order for exportation to New Caledonia. Ihey arc- also in anticipation of a more extensive order for the same place. A regular, although secret trade, has sprung up in Auckland for the sale of quartz specimens for the purpose of " salting " newly discovered reefs. The WaJcatip Mail Bays that the celebrated horse, " Morris Dancer," has quite recovered from his recent illness, and is now again a perfect picture. The wife of Ngairo, a native chief in Wairarapa, lately died, and her body is kept in a coffin with a glass door. Mr St. John Branigan's salary as Commissioner of Colonial Constabulary is said to be £800 a-year. (