FROM OUR EXCHANGES.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 84, 5 October 1878, Page 3

FROM OUR EXCHANGES.

A ‘ Gazette ’ dated September 27, states that any holder of a license may fish with rod and line for trout in the Canterbury rivers from 16fh October to 31st March. The same ‘Gazette’ shows the total revenue for flic four weeks ending. 24th August on New Zealand railway linos to have been £42,143. The Christchurch section supplied £22,347, or more than half.

The Dunedin ‘Morning Herald’ states that Professor Hutton has been offered the remar s of a young moa in a good state of jireser'-Mie!n, which was found near Qu unstovm. The large leg bones present a stun g contrast to the small head, not much bigger than that of a goose. Seme of the bones are apparently still full of grease, nnd most of them have fleshy mitter attached, whilst the lower portions of the legs and feet .arc covered with the original skin and enclosed tendons and sinews—one of them being covered with a quantity of small feathers similar in color to the bright freckled brown of a Maori hen. The frame is not quite complete. Respecting a late carouse of the Whakatane and Short!and natives, the Thames ‘ Star’ says : ‘‘ It is roughly estimated that three hotels sold between 300 and 400 bottles of liquor, One house sold 70 bottles of rum alone, that liquor being in great demand, and was sold as fast as it could he bottled. At about o’clock in the afternoon almost every adult, male and female, of the colored race had a bottle of waipiro, and to celebrate the happy event the chiefs decided to have a grand wardance, which thereupon eventuated, the performers brandishing their bottles like meres. As might be supposed, a number of bottles were smashed ; but, as a rule, almost all the liquor went down the right wav.”

A meeting was held in the Town Hall, Southhridge, a short time back to consider the advisability of extending the Southhridge railway, and the erection of another bridge for railway and cart traffic over the Rakaia river ; also to consider the best and most profitable route for the proposed Akaroa line. The meeting was largely attended, special delegates from the neighbourhood of Waterton and Longbeach being present. Mr Bluett stated that there were great difficulties in their way, principally of a financial character. He was sure the Government could not shut their eyes to the fact that an extension of the Racecourse and Southhridge lino would materially inciease the profits- of the Canterbury railways. If they did, tlicir policy must be very shortsighted and narrow. The first step would be the erection of a bridge over the Rakaia, the cost of -which an experienced gentleman estimates at £21,000. Should the bridge be constructed, it would be proposed to extend the line some thirty miles to Longbeach. The following resolution was carried, “That a respectful petition be presented to Parliament now now assembled, pointing out the expediency of extending the Southhridge line across the Rakaia river, at a point known as Dobbin’s Ford, to Longbeach.” A resolution was carried to the effect that if the Government decline to assist in making the proposed line, English capitalists should be moved to do so. Another motion was carried expressing the opinion of the meeting that the proposed Akaroa railway should be taken along the east coast of Lake Ellesmere, or that it should the tramway reserve from Halswell to the Leeslon station. Requisitions specifying the requirements of the meeting were then drawn up, and signed by all present. The Hokitika Board of Education, which has boon in a straitened financial position for some months past, has resolved upon reducing the salaries of teachers and officers. The staff is generally dissatisfied, and the best teachers are likely to resign. The Board is also threatened by creditors. Its account at the bant; is overdrawn by sev ral thousand pounds alrearfy, add unless early assistance is afforded, the Avholc educational system of the district will bo seriously jeopardised.

In enumerating the many claims that the Maoris had to special representation, Mr Taiaroa remarked that the native ladies were far better contributors to the revenue than European ladies. They smoked—that was one point in their favor ; then they used a -week's allowance of sugar at one “ go”.—they would consume a pannikinful at one meal. The Maoris also consumed a large quantity of beer, and generally used more articles that paid duty than white people. If they got L 20,000 to-morrow they would not leave Wellington until they had spentit all. If he (Mr Taiaroa) had to travel over the whole of his district he would spend all his money in travelling expenses which he ought to save for his children. For seven years he had asked for more Maori members, and be bad not yet gained his cause. He looked upon the Native Minister as a Maori.

At about two o’clock on Sunday morning, says the ‘North Otago Times,’two men, named respectively M‘Lean and Nesbitt, on leaving one of the cottages above the embankment in Itchen-street, being, it is reasonably thought, under the fiuence of liquor, walked deliberately over the precipice on |to the road. Nesbitt was so severely injured that he lay insensible. M‘Lcan, being only slightly injured, was able to make his way home. Shortly after the occurrence some lads were passing the spot, and were asked by M‘Lean to go for assistance for himself and Nesbitt, which they did by calling at the station and informing the police. Sergeant Beatty, with Constable Hawkcswortli and Joyce, at once proceeded to Itchen-street, and brought Nesbitt, still unconscious, to the station, and sent for Dr Garland. On the doctor's arrival he ordered the man’s removal to the Hospital, where he died at about 8 a.m. The cause of death is supposed to be concussion of the brain. An inquest was held on Nesbitt yesterday afternoon, when a verdict of “ Accidental death, through falling over an embankment,” was returned.