THE PROVINCES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 114, 14 April 1870, Page 6

THE PROVINCES.

For a long time past a company has been in existence in Auckland, and by whom the Kawakawa coal mines have been developed at a large outlay. Instead of paying for imported coals, the company has, by producing a cheap and serviceable fuel from the local mines, practically driven out the Newcastle coal. The Kawakawa Company has succeeded in establishing demand for its coal in this province, and almost the whole of the steam machinery at the Thames is driven by the aid of Kawakawa coal. It cannot be said that the people of Auckland are open to the charge of allowing their coal resources to remain unproductive, whatever may be said of the rest of the colony. — " Auckland Weekly News."

A letter in the "Exeter and Plymouth Guardian " states that it is the belief of several persons most interested in the fate of the • Matoaka,' and capable of forming a reliable opinion, that the Spring South Atlantic mails will bring news of her safety, and that of all on board. At Christchurch, however, a totally different impression seems to prevail, for the Presbyterians have actually gone the length of holding a kind of funeral service respecting the Eev. Mr. Grant, the late minister of the Church of St. Paul's Christchurch, who sailed for England in the 'Matoaka.' The " Lytfcelton Times " states that *" St. Paul's was hung with* black, and the service was conducted by the Eev. J. D. Ferguson, of Lyttelton. The rev. gentleman chose for his text — "Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts," and preached an eloquent and impressive sermon, many of the congregation being moved to tears."

The schooner Jessie Duncan has arrived at Ly ttolton, and brings news to the 14th. While at Levuka on 13th February, at 3 p.m. a gale commenced, and lasted for fifteen hours. Considerable damage was done to the shipping, large trunks of trees floating about the harbor. The Crest of the Wave schooner went on shore, but was ultimately got off. While at the Islands it was reported that Captain Hayes, in the schooner Atlantic, with 130 natives on board, put into the Samoa Islands short of water. As he had kidnapped many of the natives who were on board, his vessel was seized, and himself made prisoner. The informant escaped and brought the news.

We are glad to hear that the result from the boiling down of sheep at the Washdyke is so far satisfactory. The total number put through the vats is about 5000, to date. Of this number there were some 2500 old ewes, which were dry, and had been fattened up, averaging 401bs in weight, which yielded 131bs of tallow per head. A mob of 1,500 wethers averaging 48 lbs, gave 171bs of tallow per head. The average weight of a small lot of of half-bred sheep operated on, was 511bs, and 221bs of tallow were obtained per head. These sheep were of a mixed sort, several small ones being in the mob, and this consequently reduced the general average materially. — " Timaru Herald."

A capital joke on the lovers of "cheap new milk" was perpetrated recently. It appears that Mr. Dean, of Purau, ha& for some time past missed a quantity of milk from his cans, which he left on the Government Wharf. He resolved to give those a lesson who were guilty of the practice of abstracting it. The other morning a can of milk, prepared for this purpose, and nicely suited to the taste, was left on the Wharf, and we need hardly say that, on Mr. Dean's return, he found that the greater portion of the milk had disappeared. A short time only elapsed before the secret was out, and the rueful countenances of those who had partaken of the beverage told the tale. We trust those who suffered will profit by their experience- — " Canterbury Times'"