WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3090, 13 January 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day. A slight shock of earthquake occurred last night a few minutes before seven. At a meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society on Saturday night, Dr Hector read a short paper on a tree which he discovered during his recent visit to Mokau. It is a very local plant, being confined to an acre of ground on a spur of a low, sandy hill that extends along the coast between the Mokau and Whakaitana rivar. The natives said the tree had sprung from the skids and green boughs that were,brought as flooring to the great canoe Tai tui, in which they came to New Zealand from Hawaiki. As the tree is not found in any other part of the colony, Dr Hector thinks if the proper habitat of the tree were discovered it might give a clue as to the mythical Hnwaiki or place from whence the Maori originally emigrated to New Zealand. Eight steamers arrived in harbor yes* terday, bringing an aggregate ot 300 passengers. News from Samoa, by the arrival of the schooner Active reports:—General Bartlett, who came as successor to Colonel Steinberger, has been unable to securest footing. Tho account reports the natives very orderly, the Consuls not having had a single case for the last three months. Four men of war—English, American, German and French — visited Samoa within that time. The prospects of the cocpanut and cotton crop are good. Trade is overdone and comparatively dull. During last month Apia was visited by a severe storm, which lashed the harbor into foam but did no damage.

Amongst the suggestions adopted at a meeting of members of School Committees, were the following:—Female pupils to be taught sewing; no teacher to be removed without the Committee being consulted; no teacher to strike a child on the head. The wreck of the South Minster is still in the same position, and the cargo continues to be recorered, the Ruby schooner just haying brought a load. Saturday. The Customs revenue for the week is £7,143, nearly double the average return, owing to merchants and shippers holding back to the end of the year, so as to obtain the advantage in the reduction in duties on tea and sugar. Nine months ago the secretary of the Star Boating Club levanted, having appropriated £123 of the Club's money. To-day the Club received a draft for the amount. The Treasury abstracts to be issued in a few days will be in a much simpler form than ever they used to be before. The improvement is due to the Colonial Treasurer.

Captain Johnston haa found a suitable •ite for a lighthouse on the S.W. end of Kapiti Island. The only available spot found on Stevens's Island is over 500 feet high, which would necessitate the use of special lenßes. A number of the Fernglen immigrants destined for the West Coast hare been persuaded to remain in this district. The crops in the Waiapa, near Grey town, are unusually heavy this year. Those at Waihokeko are estimated to yield 50 bushels per acre. The proposed second expedition to New

Guinea has assumed shape, a number having guaranteed a certain amount, and many others are coming forward offering to take shares in the enterprise. A schooner of 80 tons will be purchased and thoroughly equipped.. Interpreters will be secured and every precaution taken to prevent failure. The promoters were all Courier expedition men, and when that vessel was there two of them pleaded hard to be left, behind for twelve months. Besides opening a trade with natives they will prospect for gold.