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Southland Times, Issue 1568, 23 April 1872, Page 2

I We understand that the subscription wort 8 . and the two prizes gained by local members of theJßoyal Association for th* Promotion of the Fine Arts in Scotland came to hand yesterday by t v e Storm Bird. The prizes — statuettes of Sir Walter Scott — can be seen on the counter of the Bank of New Zealand, and at Mr Porter's drapery establishment, Esk-street, and will .no doubt be prized by the wipners, Messrs D. S. Montagu, Bank of New. Zealand, and Andrew Dunlop, V.S., Harrisville. Mr Scandrett ha» been appointed the local secretary. From a tele^r.ira in the Ofca^o Daily Times, we learn that at the meeting of the New Zealand University Council, held on the 19th inst., the Wellington Grammar School was affiliate i with the University. Mr Gibbes Walker Jordan was admitted ad eundem to the decree of Bachelor of Arts. The following resolutions were passed :— 1. That the £1 ,500 appropriated in aid of affiliated institutions, but not yet apportioned, ought to bo used in such a manner as not to preclude institutions hereafter affiliated from sharing in that advantage, but that institutions receiving assistance from the above fund should not be deprived of the same without good cause. 2. That the sum of £300 be allotted annually to each of the several institutions now affiliated, for the promotion of the objects indicated in their several applications to tho University ; such sums to be paid on the^ Chancellor baing satisfied that lee* tures are being given as proposed by those intitutions, ani that effective and additional means of instruction are being afforded 1 thereby. 3. That tho sura of £300 be reserved for any institution that may be affiliated in Dunedin. Reference having been made in our columns to the apprehension of two embryo highwaymen at Otaki, we take the following particulars from the Wellington Independent of the Bth inst. : — The young Maori who is concerned in that very strange case at Otaki, goes under the name of Creighton amongst Europeans, his Maori name being Kuriatiana te Puna. Ho is about eighteen years of age — Knox is a couple or three years his senior. They have known each other from childhood, and of late years consorted much together, Knox inclining very much to tho indolent life of the Maoris, and having such a familiarity with the language that if heard speaking Maori with >ut being seen, it would be impossible to recognise the voice of a European. It, is difficult to say what amount of truth is mixed up with the strange stories told of the murderous projects contemplated by these desperadoes. Rightly or wrongly, a particular plot on the Paikakarika Hill road, overlooking a very deep ravine, is described as the point of vantage pitched upon. Here they were to hover on the hillside above the road, disguised with sheepskins if necessary, and as their intended victims came along, they wera to be speared, as the report of firearms could be heard at a hou3e not far away. The coachman was also to be speared, and the coach, horses, and pxs3ongsrs pustied over the precipice. If any survived the terrible fallrather an unlikely probability — the g ing could descend and despatch them at their leisure. Without attaching much credence to the tale, we give it for what it is worth. The Invercargill shareholders in the Nokomti Flat Gold-mining Company held a meeting in the Southland Club Hotel on the 17th inst. The manager of the co npany, Mr Aiton, being present, gave the following information with regard to its position and prospects. When the company was projected, the prevailing opinion was in favor of the uso of steam power to pump out the water, but on making the necessary inquiries, it was found that the working expenses (about£l,ooo a year) would be so heavy that it was resolved by the management to erect a water-wheel, which, with the race, fluming, dam, &c, it was calculated would cost about £350. The sinking is estimated to cost £180. The pumps (14£ inch) are to be had on hire at 20s per month, with the option of purchase if the claim turns out a success, so that the amount of capital already fixed is considered ample to test the ground. Should the capital, however, require to be increased, it. was stated that most of the largest shareholders had intimated their intention of doubling the number of their shares, if necessary, on good grounds being shown. The company have secured a ten-acre claim, and the Government is disposed to grant an extende 1 area if it should be required. The meeting passed a re?olution appointing Messrs J. Stock, J. Hare, W. J. Moffefct, 3. T. Martin, J. Blacklock, H. T. Ross, L. flume, D. Smyth, R. Tapper, and J. Kingsland, a committee to cooperate with the local managers, and at the same time expressing the opinion that it would be desirable to increase the capital to at least £1 ,500. We learn that within the last week from 250 to 300 shares have been subscribe 1 for, and that from 150 to 200 shares are yet reckoned on being taken up, so that it is expected th-it practical operations will be commenced early next month. The regul ir monthly meeting of tha members of the Southern Cross Lilge of Freemasons takes place in the Misonic Hall, at the rear of tlie Princj of Wales Hotel, to morrow evening, at 7 30. « * /