Memoranda of the Month.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4436, 24 March 1883, Page 1 (Supplement)

Memoranda of the Month.

! The total amount of Property Tax paid is about £182,000.

I The sarvey of the Kawhia township has been completed. [Steps ire being ti-ken o form a Blue Ribbon Army in Auckland.

• TAWHAIO is staying at Waipawa, soaking himaeli with liquor. His people are all now deserting him, in disgust at his debauchery.

< : It is stated that proceedings for fals>e !re fences have been taken against Milner Stephen in Cbristchurch.

The New Zealand University has decided to meet in Nelson on the last Wednesday in February of next year.

Epfoets are being made on the Thames to organise a party to prospect for diamonds in the Baglan district.

The first steel boiler made in New Zealand has been constructed for the Mosgiel Woollen Factory by Kincaid, McQueen and Co., of Dunedin.

A trig surrey of a large block in the King Country has been started. No serious obstruction is anticipated to either exploration or survey.

Mil AITKEK, the County Engineer, proceeded on the 26th February to report on the damage done by the recent floods in the County. . .

The schooner 'Queen which arrived at Onehunga on Saturday, from Norfolk Island, reports having been struck by lightning during the voyage. There is a large hole inside, under the main chain plates.

Messes Robinson and Co., the contractors for the section of the railway to Kopu made a start at plate-laying on the 14th from the Shortland end, and expect to have the plates laid as far as the Goods Wbarf in a few days.

The Waibou River, in the Katikati district, rose within a few hours during the late rains to the. height of 14 feet, carried away all the foot bridges, and inundated all the lowlying lands.

The Thames Naval Artillery have won the match between the Dunedin, Wellington, Nelson, and Auckland Companies. The scores are :—Thames, 701; Duaedin, 694; Wellington, 691; Nelson, 656; and Auckland 585.

Those of our reader* who knew Mr Bicbard Hudson will be grieved to read of that gentleman's death, which occurred on Mar. 5 at his residence, at Parawai, at the advanced age of 63 years. Mr Hudson's long residence on the Thames has made him many friends, and much sympathy is expressed at the bereavement of his family.

. These was a large attendance at the meeting of Sir Walter Scott Lodge of Freemason's held on the 6th inst., to welcome the Bar. J". Hill, After the closing of the Lodge an adjournment was made to the Royal Hotel where a banquet had been prepared iv honor of the guest of the evening.

Me Goedon, the Chief Mining Inspector, who is at present on a visit; to the Thames, was, "the 12th inst. shown through the Deep Level Crcos and New Prince Imperial mines by Mr Jas, Coutts, the manager of the former Company.

Two boys named Maxwell, aged about 12 andlo years respectively, were arrested to-day by Detective J)oo3an and Constable Stapleton, on a charge of. stealing the sum of £6 10s from the residence of Mr Potterton, in Sealey street.

GOVEENMBNT have agreed to spend £638 in further drainage on the Te Aroha deferred payment block, and also £960 in draining untold Crown lands at Waitoa and lands of cash payment Bettlers in the Te Aroha block.

We learn on good authority that Pis Lordship Bishop Luck has decided not to remove the Rev, P. O'Beilly away from hie present charge at the Thames, the only alteration made being the appointment of the Rev. Father O'Dwyer as successor to the B>bv. father Boyle, who has proceeded to Griaborne. We are sure this news will be hailed with satisfaction by all residents of the Thames, irrespective of creed.

The discovery of a new reef in the Imperial mine on the 14th did not have any effect on the scrip, but when the manager telegraphed that it waa showing gold freely, a demand eet in, and prices rose. No sales were effected, however, no one appearing willing to part with them at the prices offered, 61s 6d.

The Thames Winding Associajbipn haye accepted the tender of Mr H. Fisher foi? making 12 iron trucks, at £6 12s 6d each.

The Auckland Horticultural Society's autumn show opened on the 15th. There was a magnificent display of fruit, particularly of apples, grapes, and peaches.

The members of the Northern Club, Auckland, at a special meeting held on the 15th, resolved to enlarge the Club by an expenditure of £4500, and £1000 for new furniture.

The growing recklessness of persons in giving promissory notes and not accepting the obligation of paying them was fully exemplified in the Resident Magistrate's Court on the 16th. Five out of the eight undefended cases being to recover amounts due on those documents, which had been dishonored.

On the 17th the festival of the patron Saint of Ireland was observed as a close holiday by our Catholic fellow-citizens. As is their wont, the members of the Hibernian Society inarched in procession to St. Francis's Church, Shortland, where mass will be said by the Rev. Father O'Reilly at 9 o'clock, who delivered a panegyric on St. Patrick. | Directly after Divine Service the Sunday School children were marshalled and marched in procession, headed by the band of the Naval Artillery, to the Parawai Gardens, kindly placed at their disposal by Mr Spencer. The children were regaled on the grounds, and sports were improvised for their delectation. The unusual spectacle waa presented at the Wellington Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday of a Bishop occupying the position of defendant in action by one of his clergy for stipend alleged to be due. The plaintiff was the Rev. Edward Carus Wilson, a minister of; the Church of England, until recently stationed at Palmerston North; the defen dane being his Lordship the Bishop of Wellington, and the suit waa instituted for the recovery of a balance of stipend said to be owing to the plaintiff. The latter was examined at considerable length, and judgment was given against him on the ground that the wrong party had been proceeded against. The heavy rain on the 25th of February caused a good fresh in the Kauaeranga river. About five o'clock in the evening the logs began to come down, and it is estimated that there are now 3500' lying at the booms, many of them being of large size. Some of the mill hands got out the boats, ready to secure any stragglers, but fortunately their services were not required. This supply is sufficient to keep the mill employed fully 12 months. Ik connection with the subject of our article in our issue of I?eb. 26, Mr Allom, the Seoretary of the Thames Sericultural Association, has written to the Board of Education suggesting that they communicate with the Government with a view to the circular lion, in all the schools of the Colony, of Mr Federli's pamphlet on silkworm rearing. Mr Allom is supplying the Bohools in the district with copies received by him from the author;

The following have been nominated by the Governor as members, of the respective licensing districts:— Hastings—-Wai er Fricker, William Sowerby Sheanvilfev; Maurice Casey, Lemuel John \Bagnall, William Murdoch. Waiotahi—Joints Stormont Small, Alexander Brodie, « harles Hill, Henry Cooper, Alexander Mclntyre. K-.uaei-uEga—3amuui James Neill, Andrew Hkrtv, George William Bull, Joseph Lewis Wa'ton, William Deeble. Parnwai —Thomas Veale, John Hudson, Alexander Hume, James Robert Btone, John. B. Hsnsen. The first meetings for election of Chairman will, be held in the Court-house on the 15th March.

MEBSEB Eebinoton, Curtis, and Brodie, directors of the Queen. of England GmYLCo. paid an official visit to-day to the mine, and made an examination of the plawt now being erected by Messrs Harrison and Clarke for the vVir.ding. Association, in which the Queen of England Company is a sharebo'der. The directors have consulted with Mr 0. Hill, the manager, and decided on a plan of operations to be considered by a full meeting of the board in Auckland. The excellent proppects in the Deep Level Cross, with the splendid show in the Queen of Beauty have brought this property prominently before the public and considerably e/ihanced its value.

A PETITION is now in course of signature requesting the Auckland Acclimatisation Society to allow the season for native game to commence on the first of April, instead of tho Ist of May, as it did last year. The season usually commences in April, but it was altered on the representation of some gentlemen that pheasants and other game —to kill which a license was necessary—were shot before the season commenced. The petition is at present at Mr C. McLiver's. .

The Oriental and Bonanza Licensed Holdings at Otunui have agreed to amalgamate, and a Company of 100 (promoter) shares will be formed—62 of which wil' be divided between the present shareholders, and 38 will be placed at the disposal of the public at £15 eaoh, the money received by them to be expended in putting in a deep level to cut the various reefs proved to exist" in the claims, and notably amongst them the New Eureka reef, which must traverse the whole length of their ground in a south-easterly direction.

What might have been a serious conflagration occurred early on the morning of the Bth instarit, and the prompt action of the Shortland Fire Brigade in preventing it is worthy of every praise. About the hour mentioned flames were seen issuing from a room, used as a kitchen, at the rear of the Eendigo Hotel in Pollen street, and within a few minutes the Brigade turned out and played a hose, supplied by the Pollen street plugs, on the fire, which they soon succeeded in extinguishing. It seems almost a miracle that the building was saved, aa everything in the room in which the fire originated was destroyed, and considerable damage was done to a room above it and to the passage leading to the front room of the house. Every room in the house was saturated with water. The occupier, Mr J. M. Syms, estimates his damage at about £70, and his furniture and effects are insured in the Victoria ()fj|ce for £200. Mr Ehrenfriei owns the building, which, we believe, was uninsured.

Dttbing the 2nd and 3rd March our diamond levee was well-attended. We are glad to say that the residents of the Thames appreciate the. fact of the valuable discorery existing in the province, and desire that this district should be prospected for a like find. Several of our visitors have informed us of their knowledge of the existence of stones similar to those received by us within a short distance from Grahamstown. Doubtless some of our enterprising miners will add the pro? duction of the preoious stones to the list of minerals found on the Thames. ■

We are informed that at a meeting of the Corinthian Lodge of Freemasons, held on the 14th it was decided to establish three scholarships, each tenable for three years at the Thames High School, in place of the one now in force, and the term of which expires in September next. The Ooriuthian Lodge are to be highly commended for the very liberal spirit exhibited by them in this matter for in few other ways could the real spirit of this ancient order be more truly exhibited. We should not be surprised-.'to hear of the two other lodges here following the example set by their younger sister, ». The new steamer Despatch, buil| at the Thames by Messrs Price Bros., left Oartis' Wharf in company with the Waitoa at;'7.ls a.m. on the 12th inst., and a telegram received in the afternoon noticing her arrival at Te Aroba, states that she got there at 1.18 p.m. The time taken up by the trip, including stoppages, being six hours and three minutes, and the actual steaming time fire hours and fifty minutes. This should be considered a very satisfactory performance, as we believe that the trip hag never hitherto been done in lees than ec-en hours. Our telegram did not state when the Waitoa arrived.

The following are the.complete aoores In the shooting match between the Artillery corps in various paKs of the colony:—Thames Naval Artillery, 701; Dunedin B Battery, 694; Wellington Naval Artillery, 681; Nelson H Battery, 656 ; Auckland A Battery, 634: Auckland Naval Artillery, 595; Port Chalmers' L Battery, 574} Lyttelton Naral Artillery, 474. A comperison of the figures at the top and bottom of the list speaks volumes for the proficiency of our men as marksmen, while shewing that a little shooting practice on the purt of one or two volunteer companies in the colony would not do them any damage.

In the Eeiident Magistrate's Courh on the 21st inst, two boys Jumes and John MacAlister, aged 10 and 8i years respectively, were brought up charged with breaking into the Stab Office on Sunday task. Evidence was given by Mr Heald, manager of the Siab, to the effect that he was the last to leave the premises on Saturday night, when he saw everything safely locked up. On Monday morning upan opening the office he saw that a book had been removed from the inside of a desk and placed on top of it, and a bottle of copying ink had been upset in it. The wrapper of a book in the office bore blood stains on it which were not there on Saturday. The stains on the boys' feet and troußers corresponded with the colour of the ink spilled. . At the rear of the premises two panes of glass, large enough to admit the boys, had been broken, and a quantity of type insid* had been upset. Six or eight penny stamps had been removed. The money in the office was locked up in the safe. In the Editor's room two drawers had been emptied, and their contents placed upon the table.— Constable O'Brien deposed to having arrested the boys through seeing ink stains on their clothes.—Detective Doolan described the condition of the premises on Monday morning.— Upon being questioned by the Bench, the juvenile admitted having broke into the office tor the purpose of obtaining money or newspapers. —The Court lectured the boys; sentenced them to 24 hours' imprisonment on bread and water; to receive a whipping of six strokes each, and said it would to-morrow decide as to sending them for some years to the industrial home here or iti Auokland.

Mb DotoiiAS on the sth deposited at the Auckland Museum a large diamond found by the Raglan prospecting party. Mr Pond, Provincial Analyst has expressed his opinion that the stone, though a gem, is of too great specific gravity to be a true diamond, and that is what is culled by the trade a rough diamond, while Messrs J- Alexander and Eohn, the jewellers, pronounce it to be a true diamond. Before it was taken to the Museum Mr Kobn subjected tha stone to the jeweller's test of scratching a ruby with satisfactory results.

"The polling for; the members of the Nortl' Ward Liconsing fr Commit,ae took place on 25th Feb. at the Greahum Hull Only übout sixty electors voted. Little ex^itemhit was cussed, and wben the result was announced, th«r<were only three or four p rsons presen; in addition to three of the candidates'.; The licensed victuallers supported a section of the candidates, and succeeded in returning thrpout of the five members elected. Tho result of the polling was :—W. L. Thorburn, 35 ; Jl G. Vivian; 33; W. Fraser, 31; W. Fricker, 31; C. J. Ellis* 24; who were elected, and W. Murdoch, 23; T. G. Oornes, 23 ; D. McLeay, 9.

We regrot exceedingly to have to announce the death of Mr J. H. Jefferson, which occurred at hi 3 residence, Pollen street, sit a late hour on the night of tins fir-t, instant. Mr Jtflerson was one of tho oldest of our citizens, having being i-n----gaged in business here since the opening of. the field. In the early dajs .his srniioner's shop near the corner of Willpughby street, was welt known to all pioneers of 'he place. Alter a time, when the business of the Thames moved towards Grahamstown, Mr Jeffarson opened a shop riebr the* corner of Mary street, remaining there until a disastrous fire five or six years ago compelled another change, and for some years past he has continued his business near the Karaka Bridge in a manner which gained for him the respect of all with whom he came in contact. For some years Mr Jefferson has been the subject of Bright'B disease of the kidney—a disease which tends ultimately to a stute of coma and paralysis, and almost invariably ending in death; For more than three years past he was under the care of Dr Huxtable, who had informed him of the intractable nature of the disease from which he was suffering, and the ultimate termination of it, so his death was not altogether unexpected. Deceased was for many years a member of the choir of St. George's church, and the members of it propose paying a last tribute of respect to his memory by mustering at the Church to-mor-row afternoon for the purpose of rendering the musioal portions of the burial service.

We have been favored with a sample of the diamondiferous soil taken by Mr Courtney from the drive from which he has obtained aach gojd prospects. We hive also received about 30 small diamonds, which, were taken from the soil during the recent trial in Auckland. Those who take an interest in diamond mining can see the curiosities by calling at our office, where the gems are open for inspection.

The half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders of the Thames Gas Company was held in Auckland on the 28th Feb., Mr C. J. Stone presiding. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report, and the payment of an interim dividend of Is 6<3 per shore. The plant, he said,' was in good order. It was satisfactory to notice that the consumption of gas had increased during the last year. The adoption of the accounts was seconded and agreed to. It was announced that the dividend would be payable on the 6bh M*rob,

The arms of the-late; corps of Thames Naval Cadets have been sent back to Govern* menfc to the number of 60; the smart launch, the Favorite, has been handed over with its stores to the Naval Artillery; and the boathouse, which was erected by the cadets, will also probibly be bequeathed to the same corps. We ate informed that a number of the late cadets have joined, and others intend joining the Artillery, the late crew of the > tfavovite being prominent among the new recruits. 'Xhe Thames Naval Artillery will certainly maintain its popularity while it possesses its splendid brass band, its flotilla of boats, and its enthusiastic officers and men, ' - ; ' ■

Mb Soi/OMOH HbmC3, who travels in the interests o the New Zealand Temperance Mission, delivered a lecture to a large audience last evening in the Temperance Hall. During a discourse entitled " Nuts' to Crack," the lecturer pointed out the evils arising from over-indulgence in drink, and the injury to the health of the body and mind done by the uee of stimulants. He counselled total abstinence, and urged b,is audience to join in the move* menl. A vpte of thanks to the lecturer, and to the Rev Mr Bull, who acted as chairman, closed the proceedings.

Tre s.b. Despatch was successfully launched on the .morning of Feb. 28. As previously announced, an attempt was made to set her afloat the previous evening, and a large number of people attended on the reclamation about half past ten o'clock to see her "go off." Mrs Alfred Price christened the boat in the usual manner, and it was going down the " ways," when a piece of timber in them broke, and the steamer seemed stuok hard and fast, efforts were mideto start her again before the water got low, but they were useless, and it was resolved to wait for another tidt». In the meantime the bows of the steamer were raised by the aid of 'rjacks," and the timbers supporting the forepart of the. vessel removed ao as to lower that portion of it. When the tide was full, about twreaty minutes to eleven o'clock, another attempt was made, and the "Despatch " slid out into the water and was moorad at the signal station oa the Groods VVharf.

Thb Thames Valley Railway Company directors held a meeting on the 16, th inst. Meassra Murdooh, Speight, Mennie, Brown, and McDonnell attended.—Mr Kitso wrote stating that the Home syndicate would be prepared to undertake tha>.work so soon us the the agreement with the Government waa come to on a satisfactory basis, and asking that the fullest information as to route, cost, &c, be sent to him.—Mr Jackson, surveyor, produced a plan ot the luud proposed to be applied for by the company.—lt was arranged that Messrs Fraser and Graham should leave for Wellington on the 20ch iast.—The Public Works Department stated that a large portion of the lands asked for by the company were not available, being in the gold fields or forming portions of incomplete purchases, and asked the company to name lands desired by them which are not so tied up.—lt was resolved to reply that the deputation going to Wellington would furaish ail the particulars asked for.

An accident happened on the road from Te Aroha to Faeroa on the 16th instant, betweenJJ and 5 o'clock. Messrs J. 3. Buckland, Owen McGee, Clark, and another man, were driving to Paeroa in a trap drawn by two horses, and when coining down the hill on the Paeroa side of the itotokohu Gorge, the horses were startled by something just as the vehicle was turning a corner, and rushed down the hill. Mr Clark (who is a .nephew of Mr James McCosh Clark, Mayor of Auckland) was thrown out against a stump, two or three of his ribs being broken by the shock, and a Lumber of bad bruises inflicted. Mr McQ-ee also received some bruises, bub the other occupants of the trap were not-injured The horses also escaped, but one wheel of the vehicle was smashed. MrK. T.Penk was near the party when the accident happened, and at once rode on to Te Aroha and despatched a doctor to Paoroa. In the meantime one of the party rode to Paeroa, and , took back a trap, in which. Clark was conveyed to the latter place, and his injuries seen to. We are also informed that £>r Huxtable this morning rode to Paeroa to attend him. [dince writing the above we have received a telegram stat.ng that oue of Mr Clark's lungs is injured; and there are Blight hopes ol his recovery.' Doctors from Te Aroha and Paeroa were speedily on the scene, and Dr Huxtable arrived at Pueroa. to day.J

Mr Pond, Government analyst, atatei that three out of the four supposed diamonds from itaglau are., quartz crystals. ''r

Thb Rev. Janes Buller writes the fo lowing letter to a Curistchuroh paper:—-" As many seem to doubt whether Mr Milner Stephen has effeoted any cures at all, I deem it right, i-. the interests of truth, to testify to one case whioh ia that of a grandson of mine at Wellington. As the tequel of a severe attack of 'rheumatic fe»er, which he had some years ago, one leg was nearly two inches shorter than the other. He applied to Mr Stephen, who sue ceeded in elongating the short leg, and when I last heard from him he said— 1! took the cork out of my boot, and now walk in an ordinary pair.'"

Re native affair*, the Herald's "own" has managed to get hold of the following :— "The G-overnment hare received important telegrams from boil north and' west as to native affaira. Mr Bryce telegraphs that Wahanui, Rewi, and other leading northern ehiefi? hivo not only given their written consent, t 0 the railway survey being carried through their land, bub also have requested him to delay commencing operations for a day or two, in order that they may be able to aond peremptory warning to their people not to oppose or obstruct surfey exploration. Thin is, of courae, highly satisfactory. Equally so is the report from' Parihika. It is positively ascertained that Te Whiti did send out express orders to all his believers not to some to Parihaka on the 17th or attempt to hold any meeting, and that he impressed on them the necessity of peaceful, orderly conduct and obedience to authorities. This is a striking refutation of the alarmist paragraphs published in some Opposition journals."

A portion of the Priestman's dredge, ordered some months ago by the Thames Harbor Board, arrived here from Auckland by the cutter Sovereign of the Seas on Saturday week. The work of fitting it together has, we understand, been entrusted to Messrs Price Bros. The punts, which are being made by Mr D. Gtouk, of Auckland, should be com* pleted about a week from date.

An accident happened on Saturday week to a man named Munro McEeozie, a settler at Puriri. He was driving a dray along the road, and when some distance past Warahoe, while attempting to mova a portion of the load from the back to the front of the dray ha lost hii hold, and fell over in the front. The horses started off, and before he could get out of the way one of the wheels passed over bis left leg below the knee, fracturing the bone. He lay on the road for tome time, and was discovered by Mr James Craip, who was . riding in from Te Aroha. A wagonette from Tauranga came up soon afterwards, and by the help of one of the passengers and the driver McKenzie'a dray was unloaded and he was lifted into it and driven to the Hospital by the passenger referred, to. Mr Craig called in at Kirikiri and got Mr Fisher to accompany the dray, so as to take it back agaiu. The broken limb was set by Dr Payne, and McKenzie is now progressing favorably.

The County Engine >■ has been working night and day preparing plans and specifications of the works to be done out of the grant in aid of goliifields, which are to be submitted for the approval of Mr; Go;*doh, Inspecting Engineer of the Mines Departmant. These comprise two contracts for Karangahake, one far Karaka Creek, one for Otunui—from the mines to the battery, one for Waitekauri, one for the Waiotahi, and one for the Maungaterikeri roads.

Between Saturday night and Monday morning an entry was effected into the Star Office by breaking a window in the rear of the premises, and this morning Constable O/Brien succeeded in arresting two boys about the ages of 9 and 11 years, named McAiiater. The boys confessed to having broken the window and entered the offi c, but nothing was taken from the premises.

The proceedings at the meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society on the 19th inst. were animated, not only by the presence of about thirty of the gentler sex, but by the vigor with which one fair essayist defended her ground against hostile criticism, A worthy member of the fourth estate, who did not quite hold with the views contained in the essay under discussion, was informed by the authoress of it to the effect that its merits were supremely transcendental when compared with some of the leading articles written in the journal to which he was attached. Another opponent to the ide s vented in the essay was scathingly '' let : down;" in fact, the lady showed the possession of" real grit," and held her own against her opponents in verbally a forcible manner.

At the Hon. C. H. Bromby's lecture last night in Auckland on " The English in Ire* land," Mr J. A. Tole, M.H.R., presided. Among those present were Bishop Luck, Monsignore Fynes, and a number of Catholic clergy. Bishop Luck, in moving a vote of thanks to the lecturer, said when he listened to what his countrymen had done in Ireland he felt ashamed of his country, —of being an Englishman. The brave, patient, long-suffer* ins; Irish would always hare his sympathies. These utterances of the Bishop greatly mollified that section of bis flock which had been irritated by his letter to the Hibernian Society re Mr Redmond's mission.

It was at the Corner and a veritable Daniel was in one of the lions' dens surrounding that looality, when a newly-arrived book-agenr enterad and enquired for the proprietor. " Not in," said D., " but if I can do anything for you." "Yes," said the agent bl shing, as book-agents invariably do. "I want"— Before he could proc ed D. broke in, "We can do a small parcel of Imperials at 62s 6d. You can't find better stock just"—"No," returned the knowledge vendor, "I want you to"—"Ah, I . see," said he of the den, "'Cross' is your little weakness; well, you know, a small parcel, at about 7s would be a good investment, a day or two ago they broke into some—"—the agent was being run to earth, but as a final effort he gasped as he unwrapped one of a number of parcels which he carried. " I want you to lo k—." "Yes," said the Dan, "to look you up a few Dirts at 9s; well, you might, do worse than try that stock, you know.' The book agent looked ruefully at the lion tamer, slowly wrapped up his parcelj and said "Good day/ Is the R.M. Court on the 22nd inst. the two boys, Macalister, were brought up again on the charge of breaking into the Stab Office. In answer to the Bench their father stated that the boys were beyond his control; they would not go regularly to school. The Court severely animadverted on the conduct of parents who allowed their children out after dusk, and said it was absurd for a parent to say that two children of the age of the cuN prits were uncontrollable, —punishment, not necessarily by force, would causa obedience. It had been decided to send the bays to the Kohimariitnara Industrial School until they were each fifteen years old, and the father would be ordered to pay 2s 6d per week for eaoh boy. This payment- was as light as it could be made, and the Benoh expressed a hope that it would cause the father of the boys to look after the rearing of his other children more carefully. ... „ Ma A. Oppbnhbimks, of Auckland, has been appointed general agent for New Zealand for the International Exhibition in Calcutta in December next. He h»S also received a letter from Mr Jouberfc, of Sydney, stating that the Australian colonies had voted money to aid the exhibitors and defray the expeuse of an official representative. Mr Joubert states that he has written to the New Z inland Government urging simiUr action, as from his recent visit to India he is satisfied a goodly amount of trade would arise between this colony and India if th« matter was properly taken up,