Commercial.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 244, 3 October 1872, Page 5

Commercial.

Wheat is easier. There is more offering, and holders are desirous of quitting their stocks. ■' Prime milling samples are worth 5s 3d in limited lots. For large parcels purchasers probably would not offer at os to oS 2d. In second class wheat there is no business doing, the value is about 43 3d to 4s 6d. Fowl wheat is very scarce. Sales in barley are now restricted to very small quantities, there is no barley offering suitable either for malting or for feeding. Good malting can be placed at oa, and feeding at 4s 6d. Milling oats are moving freely at 2s 2d ; stocks in tp.wn are not Jjeavy. Feeding sorts are quiet at Is lid to, 2s. The demand for flout is well maintained. Several large parcels have been soil at Ll3. Trade lots are firm at Ll3 10s. Bran has a gopd sale at L 4." Pollard, L 5 10s. Oatmeal is rather firmer, but there is np alteration in the price, Lll 10s. Hay, L 3 |ss ; chaff. L 3 los : straw, L 2 ss : pofcw toes, L 6 10s, for good provincial. A. Mercer reports for the ending September 38 :-RetaU prices pnly. Freah butter in 41b and lib prints, best quality, Is 3d to Is 4d per lb ; second quality, Is 3d • fresh butter in lumps, Is 2d ; powdered and salt butter, best quality, Is 2d ; second, JOd to lid. Tbe supply of fresh butter continues plentiful, and a still further fall in price has taken place sinae my last report. A. good enquiry exists for new season salt batter, which is very scarce and worth from Is to Is Id per lb for good samples. Cheese is in good request ; good samples lire scarce however, and worth from 8d toj 9d per lb j second quality, 6d per lb. Bide 4 W rolled bacon is fetching 9d to lOd per lb. Eggs are exceedingly plentiful, and meeting with* large denjaod at 10d toll per dog,

Progress. — A movement is on foot for the establishment of a woollen manufactory at Queenstown. Political. — A Gazette of the 25th notifies that Mr George Turnbull has been appointed Deputy-Superintendent vice Mr W. A. ToLnie, resigned. Obituary. — The San Francisco mail brought intelligence of the death, on his way home, of Mr J. K. Karalake, who,- for two years represented the Coleridge district in the General Assembly. Acclimatisation. — A somewhat novel shipment was brought to Lyttelton by the Nebraska, in the shape of two bear cubs, which were brought from Canada for the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Political. — Mr Macassey has resigned his seat as representative of the Waikari district in the Provincial Council. Parliamentary Wit. — Several of the mad wags of the Opposition have endeavored to crack jokes for the last day or two at the expense of the Ministry. The highest flight achieved has been te characterise it as a &uper-abundant. Ministry. The " next best" attempt was made at the Opposition dinner on Tuesday, when, alluding to the hon. member for Parnell, Mr Stafford was congratulated on his ingenuity in constructing a Cabinet without Wood. — Post, Sept. 2. Agricultural. — The Committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association have under their consideration the propriety of starting an agricultural journal. It is proposed to be pnblished quarterly, the first number to be published in January, arid the prospectus states "that in order to secure as wide spread assistance injthis direction as possible, and for other reasons, cordial relations should bo established and maintained with every agricultural and horticultural society in the Colony, including farmers' clubs and other bodies whose aim is to promote improvement in rural economy." The San Francisco Service. — Writing to the Colonial Secretary ou June 26, the Agent-General says that he and the Agent-General tor Vicctoria had addressed the Secretary for State for the . Colonies- on the subject of the service, and that he had reason to believe that their joint proposals, which were for an annual subsidy of L 20.000 during the continuance iof the Duffy- Vogel contract, would be agreed to with the following modification, viz., that the subsidy thould only be granted for three years. Since that despatch was written news will have reached Home of the rejection by Victoria of the contract ; but we are informed that tbe Government were of opinion that Dr Featherston, that fact notwithstanding, would succeed in securing a contribution from the Imperial authorities. Perhaps it may help to convince our contemporary the Daiy Times of the falseness of the alleged Congressional debate when we reprint from a letter, which shows that Mr Webb's application for a subsidy has not yet been disposed of by the American Congress. Messrs Yogel and Duffy, it will be remembered, addressed the U. S. Postmaster-General, expressing the hope that the service would receive a subsidy from that country. Mr Cresswell, the Postmaster-General, replying under date the 19th June last, refers' to his own recommendation to Congress to grant Mr Webb "a moderate money subsidy, in addition to the mail compensation paid by the Colonies under the existing contracts ;" and to the fact that " the President also, in his annual' message to Congress recommended suitable legislative action in aid of this important service, Mr Cresswell adds : "I exceedingly regret that, notwithstanding these recommendations and tbe earnest desire of the President and the Cabinet, that the necessary steps should be taken by Congress to secure the permanent establishment of a regular and rapid steam communication with the countries of Australasia, that body adjourned without perfecting the desired legislation. I trust, however, that ' the friendly disposition of 1 the. Government of the United States towards this important commercial enterprise will be evinced by favorable action in support of the existing service at the next session of Congress. It is well known that the members of the committee on Post Offices and Post Koads of the United States Senate, who have carefully considered the subject, have recommended the passage of a Bill granting a money subsidy in aid of this mall steamship service." We fancy that this extract, coupled with Captain Harding's letter* and the extracts from the Alta California, which we publish elsewhere, will prove beyond doubt' that the grossest falsehoods about the service have been circulated in the Colony by interested persons. — Star. Mount Ida's Representative. — We cannot refrain from giving utterance to the feelings of general dissatisfaction— if not of indignation — which pervade the public mind' at the action taken by Mr Meryyn in opposing a Ministry who had promised much for this place, and supporting one whose oii nions must have been known to him to be adverse to the wishes and interests of -those whem he was returned to represent. In fact, we cannot but feel that in all matters' connected with the Mount Ida district, ■ since his election. Mr Mervyn has shown an indifference to the interests of the place which it would be difficult to understand were we not all aware of the fact that with'inany men self and self-interest are the- governing principles, and in the cause of self -seeking, self-*gsrandisementi-and place-hunting, many a constituency has before to-day been sold and made tools of by unscrupulous and designing adventurers. We do not say that such has been the case in t]m instance, but we do say that Mr<Mer«,vyn's conduct, from first Ito last, siucehis eiection for this district, has an extremely suspicious look aboufc it. Mr Meryyn has, by ijis ' entire career since representative for this place, shown htinself utterly regardless of * and indifferent tor the wishes Of hi? constituents, and should, in our ppinion, fee called upon to resign the trust Wliich be has so far abused. SQ.longas Mr Mefvyn W»> innocuous, if not a cqmplete cypher, he coujd and did do cqmparatively little Jarm, but when he has actually, *s he has done lately, gone against his constituents, it is evident that the less we have to do with him, and the sooner we get rid of him, the better for the interests of the district We are not nor ever were much devoted to the policy of the Fox/Vogel Ministry; still, at the present time, it was the one evidently the best adapted to the interests of this place, and should therefore have had Mr Mervyn's cowlial support, rather than his late strenuous and unintelligible oppo■ition.—Chronicle.

Yalpe vvVtiuxb p Melbourne, — ' The purchase oMand*in the heart of the dtv at the rate of L2OO a foot byone of ; the Melbonrne bank* a f W years ago wu looked upon m something worth remembering; but this most unusual price has been exceeded by that attained at an auction sale last montn. A piece of ground SO feet frontage, with * depth of 156 feet, was disposed of at the enormous price of L 370 a foot, or HI, 100 for the 30- feet. This land, which wan bought by a private individual, is situated in the best part of Collins' itreet Undoubtedly {hi* is line hfgheit.friae eier pud 'for Isn4 in

Sporting. —At a meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club, last nis;ht, the report of the sub committee appointed to draw up a programme for the meeting on Nov. 30, was submitted and approved of. A letter was read from Mr E. Pritchard, placing at the disposal of the Club a handsome silver cup weighing 104 ounces, to be run for by twoyear olds, the produce of his entire horse Master Rowe of the season 1871. Ik was resolved that the cup be accepted, and a committee was appointed to prepare the conditions of the race. It was suggested that the owners of thoroughbred entires might subscribe asuna for a race to be called " The Sires' Produce Stakes," it being a matter in which they would be personally interested, and that such a race conld form an event at the Club's meetings.— Star, 25 th.

Colonial Manufactures. — The tender of Mr Thomas Williams, Oxford terrace,' Christchurch, has been accepted by the Provincial Government for the construction of a steam crane for the railway. The contract price is £600, and the orane will be the tirst of its kind manufactured in the Colony. Mr John Anderson's tender at £370 has been accepted for two; cranes, of the ordinary kind. — Lyttelton Times.

Mr Stafford's Native Policy. — A Wellington telegram published a few days ago conveyed the intelligence that the Hon. Mr Stafford had ordered a public funeral for Patuone, a iNgapuhi chief, brother of the late distinguished Tamati Waka. A reliable correspondent sends the following telegram, dated Sept. 21 : — "I have just returned from the interment of the JSgapuhi chief Patuone. I found the neople rushing laughing into a mean building to see the comn. Counted 30 natives present, instead of 500 as expected; about 50 volunteers, and two or three dozen European speOtators. Every one was asking why a public funeral had been ordered. If meanc to propitiate the natives, it was an expensive failure." — Lyttcton Times.

Mining News. — "We have been favored with the following mining mems. from a correspondent at Whitechapel Flat : — "Mining here is looking very brisk. A party who have been sluicing at the head of the JPJat for some time- have just struck another layer of washdirt, from two to three feet thick, and hove got good prospects, the gold being coarse. This bas caused some excitement here to-day (16th) among the miners, and it brought me in mind of the old times' to see them running with picks and shovels, and almost fighting about their pegs. There were five or six acres pegged out in a very short time. There is every indication that Whitechapel will yield its treasures abundantly, and that the miners will be handsomely rewarded for their extensive labors. Some parties are hard at work cutting branch races on to their claims to carry water from the New River Race, which they will get in a few days. Shares are up 20 per cent." We hear of a tail-race robbery at the Kawarau River having been committed last week. The depredators are supposed to have taken from four to five pounds weight of gold. Strong suspicion attaches to certain parties, and probably more • will be heard of the affair.

Taranaki Politics. — A telegram, dated the 21st inst., says :—": — " Mr Moorhouse has issued an address in the Herald. He states that his opinions are in distinct opposition to the Stafford Cabinet, and that peace and good government W3re ltkely to be seenred by the Opposition party. He had a firm faith in Mr M 'Lean's fitness for dealing with .Native affairs, and he could not hope for success in any attempt to combine with Mr Stafford and his associates. The Herald states that either Mr Stafford or Colonel Whitmore telegraphed to Major Atkinson to be prepared to stand, when Mr Stafford tabled his want of confidence motion. Major Atkinson denies that he comes forward as a supporter of Mr Stafford.

The Old Story. — After all the sad experiences of people who some years ago rushed away from certainty of living co the newly-discovered El Dorados of Port *. urtis, Rockhampton, <\c, there is still the same mania for change now as then amongst the miners, and even in other classes of laborers. We (Oamaru Times) learn with regret that large numbers of our best and steadiest men are about to leave this district for the Queensland goldfields recently discovered at ( harters i owers. If the exodus continues, we fear that labor will be unusually scarce during shearing and harvest time this season.

Miners Beware. — It would appear by the local papers that the news from the Roper country has disquieted the miners at Queenstown and Maerewhenua ; and that already several persons have left those disrticts for the supposed new Eldorado. We would caution others disposed to follow that example that they may go farther and fare worae ; in proof of which opiuion we give an extract from the Grey Riotr Argus of the

14th inst :— Mr Thomas Waugh, of the New River district, was a passenger from Melbourne, yesterday, by the steamer Tararua. He is in possession of as late information as it was possible to procure from the Roper River' district, and he assures us that, so far as he could ascertain by diligent enquiry, there is nothing whatever to encourage people thither. With others he telegraphed for information as to Port Darwin ; and the reply received was that gold had been got, but not in payable quantities. He had also information, direct information from two brothers of the name of Gilford, who left the New River some months ago; and, after proceeding to Australia, sailed for the- Roper. They describe the climate as bad, and the prospects discouraging. There was also a dearth of " tucker." Mr Waugh adds that numbers of miners had comedown country to Melbourne, preparing to start from the Northern Territory, out the majority were rettirning to' the old -ground. The majority of the passengers who left Melbourne by the Omeo were for Queensland, and the Bengal, which bad been' placed on the berth, was unable to get filled np after six weeks 1 de* tentipn. .

Auckland Superintendence, — Discussing the .probabilities astothe next Superintendent <vf Auckland, the Kwn\*>e C ' A «" ( Jays :— The name of MrypgeT is also mentioned, we know not op what authority, in connection with the Superintendence We do not ihink that the late Treasurer to the Colony would accept the position or step into the shoes of Mr Gillies after having been despoiled by him of his top boots. Mr Yogel,. we apprehend, has higher ideas than that •tyle of thing, and the Ministry, does not present that certainty of tenure that will quench the ambition of Mr VbgeL It is needless to say that as Buperintendent he would be the ablest that' ever stood at the helm of our Provindial affairs, and though partly from jealousy of success, and partly from that fear which incompetency ever has for brains, there' has for some time been a run on Mr Yogel in this diiktrict.we believe these ephemeral and paltry feelings might not weigh against his sterling ability. Mr Voxel's administration was dropped on just at the moment when it was temporarily baffled; and had assumed an aspect of confusion and- disappointment ; and accordingly to those who only look through the colored spectacles ef party, and to thoße again who can see no further' than the length of their noses, the 'policy appears a failure. Mr Yogel will erb- long be again in power, and we should be sorry to ace .aim dfiffndiff to tbe 9»pnintewUacy»

Theatres. — An interesting controversy is now' being carried on the Thames, between the Rev. James Buller and a writer in the Evening Star Btylifig himself " Histiiomastix," on the effeoi-s of theatres. The clergyman takes tbe rather narrow-minded view that theatre-goin^ is productive of wickedness in every variety, while the other is much more liberal. The discussion is exciting considerable interest amongst the diggers, who, as a rule, are ardent lovers of the stage.

Fracas at Arrowtown. — A police" man's duty in an up-country township is not always unmarked by danger. On Wednesday last, the 18th inst., a tall powerfully built man was observed by Constable Quinn rolling about the street under the influence of drink. The constable of course arrested him, and was thereupon violently assaulted by the man, whose name is John M'Dermott. Quinn, however, showed the greatest courage and — after wrestling for a quarter of an hour, during which he threw his man a dozen times— succeeded in handcuffing the ruffian. Unfortunately the man was strong enough to snap the handcuffs, and, snatching the constable's baton, struck him with all his strength twice on the head — one cut being a very severe one. A mason named John Sevton now came forward and saved Quinn, who was partially stunned and blinded by the flow of blood from his wounds. M ' Dermott had been aided up to this time by two of his "pals," named Hobert Wbitley and John Martin, who had kept off those that came to the constable's aid, the chief among whom were noticeable, Mr Kobert Frederick and Mr Martin Houlehan, the former of whom received a severe kick for his praiseworthy efforts. Meanwhile Sexton held on to his man until the arrival of Sergeant Hunt, at at which time M'Dermott had fast hold of Quinn, who was only released by the sergeant punishing the infuriate on the hands, and with the assistance of bystanders conveyed him to the lock up. Shortly afterwards the two abettors of M'Dermott were arrested aud consigned ta durance vile.

Sad Case of Drowning. — The City Coroner(Mr Hocken) held an inquiry at the Supreme Court Hotel, Stuart street;, this afternoon, touching the death of Thomas Charles Brown, aged 21, a recent arrival by the J. N. Fleming whose body was fonnd in the bay, near the Stuart street jetty, on Sunday "morning. It was adduced in evidence that on Saturday evening the deceased and his brother visited a shipmate named Cooper at his residence in George street ; and that at about seven o'clock deceased left by himself to go home. His brother on going home some hours later was surprised to find that he had not returned, and getting alarmed reported the matter to the police. At eleven o'clock on Sunday morning.Cooper found the deceased's body lying in the mud about twenty yards from the railway bridge, and about a hundred yards from the Stuart street jetty, with the face downwards, and the hands in the coat-pockets. It also come out that at ten p.m., and again an hour later, the deceased was seen in George street by Sergeant Neil ; so it is surmised that he was looking for his brother, aud not succeeding in finding him, that he intended to return to Cooper's, and thinking that the bridge was planked across — which it is not— missed his footing and fell into the current, which is pretty rapid just beneath the bridge. A verdict of "Accidentally drowned" was returned. A juror wish to add a rider, censuring the authorities for allowing the bridge to remain in its present state ; but the Coroner pointed out it could not be done, as the railway line was not a public thoroughfare, and it had not actually come out in evidence that the deceased had fallen off the bridge, though there were strong reasons for believing that he had.— Star, 23rd.

Maerbwhenua G oldfields. — Alarge and influential meeting was held on the 17th inst.. at Maerewhenua, in the Commercial Hotel, to consider tbe late sale of 10,001) acres of land to &Ar R. Campbell, of Benlomood. Mr Williamson occupied the chair, and briefly stated the object of the meeting. It was, after full discussion, unanimously resolved, " That the meeting having been informed that a large area of ground (10,000 acres) has been applied for by Mr R. Campbell, of Benlomond Station, which comprises a great and most important extent of the Maerewhenua Goldfield, views with great alarm such application, inasmuch as many of the miners here have spent a long time in prospecting the district, and have expended large sums thereon. That, irrespective of time and labor lost in prospecting, a sum of about L 12.000 has been spent in tbe con- I struction of water-races and other appliauces for working the ground, and if tbe land in question should be granted to the applicant, an irreparable injury would be inflicted upon us and upon the district. The water-races would be rendered valueless, and a goldtiel.l which, if fostered, to become one of the most important in New Zealand, would become a mere sheep run, or a monopoly for permission to mine on private land. It was also resolved, "That this resolution be conves'ed to the Waste Lauds Board by Messrs John' Frater and Thomas Cooper, and that the Warden be requested to embody in his report (which he has promised to send) the result of the meeting." Engagement op Immigrants. — A large proportion of the immigrants ex I Hydaspes having been nominated by their friends, most of them proceeded ab once to their destinations. Four families, equal to 26 adults, proceed to Southland by the Storm Bird to morrow at the cost of tbe Government, according to previous agreement. The hiring commenced yesterday, at the depot in Princes street. Thirteen single women were engaged, at L3O to L 36 per annum ; two shepherds were employed at L£>2 J three ploughmen at LSO to L 52 ; three farm servants, L 45 ; one , gardener, L 45 ; one blacksmith, L6O ; one laborer, L 35;3 5; two married couples, LOO to L 75, Three men engaged themselves with the Brighton FJax Miil at 15s per week with rations. The demand for laborers was very brisk, and all would have found employment had not many of the immigrants been somewhat' extravagant i« A- 5 * tfltpwnwfci—a —Star, 26th.

iFound Drowned. — At half-past six o'clock this morning, information was given to Constable M'Kinlay, ' by a Boy named Perriman, that the body of a man had been found off the new jetty. The constable, on proceeding to the end of the wharf found the information to be correct. At a distance of hardly ten^feet from the wharf the body was. It was then boli upright in the water, which did not come ap to tbe hair, the face looking 'towards the' opposite shore, and the man's baids" -stuffed - down~into his coat packets. The body, .was taken out of the water, an.4>, remqyed, to, an office next the Pier .Hottj, 'and w&s shortly afterwards identified *s thatjof James Arro), a farm servant, a native rf Helensburgh, Scotland, and cousin to Mr L Arrolj gardener, Albert street. ' The decased was lodging at the Times Restaurant I'rinees street, and left there last eyenipi between seven and eight o'clock, being unir the influence of liquor, and was not seel again alive. An inquest was held at therier Hotel this afternoon, when a verdict f "Found Drowned" was returned, it vk elicited in. evidence that deceased had «» he expected to receive LIOO that was dfe to him, but only got Lift which, caused ha to go on the drink; and, [that 1 he intendedo leave town for tlyj Tajeri

A Singular Coincidence. — There is a curious circumstance in connection with Mr Trollope's visit to the various Colonies worth noticing. His arrival in Queensland was followed by a Ministerial ciwis in that Colony. When he arrived at Sydney the Martin Cabinet suffered a defeat, and was superseded by Mr Jfarkes' Government. On the same gentleman reaching Melbourne, a Ministerial crisis occurred there, Mr Duffy giving place to Mr Francis. At Hobart Town there was also another Ministerial crisis, which resulted in a dissolution ; and bhortly after his arrival in this Colony, the Government i;f Mr Fox has had to give place to one formed by Mr Stafford.

A Mission to Wellington. — Mr J. P. Armstroug, M.P.C. for Mount Ida, is about to proceed to Wellington, at the request of his constituents, to urge upon the Government the necessity for the construction of a sludge channel at Naseby, and to try to procure a commutation of the sentence passed upon Ewing.

Clutha Railway.— The piercing of the Caversham tunnel was effected on the 26th, the workmen on both sides meeting at three o'clock. As showing the exactitude of the driving, we may mention that the error in line and levels did not exceed one inch. This result, which is almost unprecedented, is to be attributed to the care and skill of Mr Adam Johnston, the assistant Government engineer, who has had charge of the work.

A False Alarm. — Our contemporary the Daily Times should really be more careful than is its practice in giving currency to damaging paragraphs. The alarm concerning the cattle disease turns out, we are happy to say, to be unfounded. Mr Logic, Chief Inspector of Sheep and Cattle, says that there is no reason for alarm respecting the disease among cattle reported in the Times of this morning. It is merely a '' mange" no doubt, in the case referred to, brought on by starvation, and which, by sufficient and proper feeding with a little attention, will not be heard of in a fow weaks. M any similar cases occur annually through scarcity of food. — Star, 28th.

The Telegraph. — There are now open in New Zealand 2135 miles of telegraph (exclusive of 50 miles of the incomplete Patea and New Plymouth live, and others in construction), making 3823 miles of wire. The expense of erecting these, together with the cost of the submarine cable, has been L 187,072 19s 2d. The new lines constructed during the year are — From Tauranga to Kati Kati, from Christchurch to Akaroa. from .Nelson to Motueka, and from Kati Kati to Grahamstown. The line between Patea and New Plymouth has been continued for 224 miles, and will, it is hoped, be completed during the current yar. To meet the press of business between Dunedin and Oam am a third wire has been run between those places, and will, when necessary be continued to Christchurch. The lines in course of construction are — From Leithfield to Waiau, from Greymouth to Reefton, from Grahamstown to Coroinandel, and from Invercargill to Winton.