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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 253, 19 September 1861, Page 3

Sir.—l would feel obliged if you could inform me whether it is a fact, that the militia officers are'getting up an address to Major Cooper, approving of the manner in which he [pis conducted the militia in this district, and hlso anim tdverting on the strictures of the press on his conduct. I am also informed that Capt. John Nixon, , of the Wanganui militia and Provincial Sub-treasarer, has been abusing the influence he possesses, in virtue of his office, over the road workmen to obtain their signatures to'tlTe same.. I. thinlc that justice to the public and that gentleman demands your endeavours to ascertain the truth of such an assertion. I am, sir, yours, &c. Inquirer. September 18. WELLINGTON. (From our own Correspondent.)

•Like ourselves, you will be anxiously looking for the overland to hear the news per Airedale, from Auckland, which arrived last .Thursday'; bringing back all our members with the exception of the Premier; they all look well and hearty as bucks. Copious extracts from the Auckland journals appear in our Wellington papers. .Sir George Grey was not expected for a fortnight after the steamer left. ; Men-of-war, generally speaking, don’t hurry themselves, and take in sail at night. Now, as the session is closed, there is little doubt that the house will not meet earlier than next [June. Sir George will abide his time, and [depend upon it, unless any unforeseen circumstance fakes place, next session will be held at [Wellington. The Duke of Newcastle must ■have expected that by this lime Governor [ Browne had packed lip his carpet-hag and gone ito Sydney, as the last despatches received 'were addressed to “ the Officer administeiing the Government of New Zealand.” Well, there is one thing to be said, if. Governor Browne has not benefited the colony; he has benefited his own pocket, and leaves us £40,000 richer than when he arrived. This lie has to thank his wife for; she is most decidedly the business person. Governors are not supposed or allowed to trade, buy, or sell, hut there are tricks in all trades, and a Way of whipping the d— round a post. Most successful hits were made in the purchasing of choice slices of land’ in the pet province of Napier, which was purchased in the name of Captain Stewart (Mrs. Browne’s relative), who ■received most valuable information from. that, worthy Donald J/cLean, who has also buttered his bread pretty well in that settlement. iVapicr was’ never neglected, ami could always command troops, when poor /Wellington' might go to" Jericho. You may depend upon it there was a something behind the scenes, which is now daily oozing out, and will some day be revealed,, that gave Stafford for so long a| period such a command over the Governor—iii fact, he appeared almost afraid of him ; toj say the least, he' did not take a dignified po-i sit inn.

The-Fox ministry will be permanent for twelve months, although from private little hints there will shortly be some changes. Timely notice has at last been given by the General Government to theirrespective officers, to cultivate more frfentlly connections with the Provincial Governments —a very significant bit of advice. T he Stafford ministry is now most completely smashed, and ponent parts are scattered in every direction, and the pitcher now broken can never be mended., '/lie District Courts are abolished,i aiid Resident Magistrates can try cases to the, extent of £lO0 —great powers certainly to-in-competent 'men not bred .to the law.. I suspect that the day is not far distant \vheu none but barristers or solicitors will be allowed to hold the office of 11J/. 7'he sittings of the -Supreme Court are extended to Napier, a very wise act, and a saying to the country. IV by not’to Wanganui ? . .You ought to petition for it; look at the saving of expence and niani test- inconvenience to prosecutors, witnesses. &c; - , also the drawback for the recovery ol debts, which is almost tantamount to a denial of justice. leu will want it now more than

ever, as there wili be appeals from tho li. M. ci’iii fc '' 7doii’t see why Judge Johnston, as \Vril as others, should not meet the times; even, if he had t.o go to Picton as well, it would not ‘be half so much worked as several of the Judges in New iSouth Wales, who have very frequently three mouths’., \rorkin arrear; their salaries are pretty similar. The employment of the Judge lately has been quite a farce; now that we have active steam communication HO difficulty arises. I forgot to mention that considerable indignation has been exhibited here by severalparties at home styling themselves New 'Zealand, colonists, -who have the impudence to assume that they represent the ci-lony. You have seen the resolution passed at their rooms (“ how we'apples swim !”), and published in the Times. One of the most active is the unassuming Sir Chas. Clifford; / wonder- if lie .had the candour u* tell the meeting that he represented-Welling-ton, after being so signally defeated at the Provincial election: He. above ■ ail ’ others should be courteous; and I predict if lie wemr again to stand for a seat lie would be rejected ; he has gone home, and not done a bad tiling of it after all by his Speakership, having pocketed over £3OOO, and yet was dbc mrtemisenough not to send a single address thanking the electors, and stating his intention*. Hadit not been for Sir Charles Clifford calling upon the Duke of Newcastle, whom he know.-,, Governor‘Browne would have been recalled two monthsago. Thu fact is, he wanted the Stafford mini-try to he in office, so that hi-v friend Mr. Weld might retain his billet. other very modest 'gentleman, .who appears a great gun at these meetings, is Mr."// alter Biodie of Sparrow notoriety,’ who can well draw, a long bow (he is called Walter after.old Walters of the Times), and his mother holds no less than one-twelfth of the Thunderer—/rafters lias only an eleventh; by.this meanshe possesses'-influence to get letters ami articles inserted which might do us much mischief. Borne steps ought to be taken to exrpose the unauthorised proceedings of Johtr Morrison and Co , political agents, who are at a heavy discount, and do not represent New Zealand.

7£’s a curious thing--that Cooper -has' not yet received official instructions to discontinue drill, as I am aware on goo 1 authority that such Was to be the case. The WongaWonga came in this morning from Otago; the rush fioin Melbourne is immense; 1600 arrived within three and a half days—no less than 17 vessels and steamers loading at Melbourne for the diggings. Gold appears, pretty plentiful, al hough some places have proved failures. The Tyne had arrived I hear—U days’ passage. Much better for many of your Wanganui folks to plant 1 than go; ihis will pay better than gold-digging’; prices this year will be at a "faniin<T.pr e 7; they are now £lO per ton here, and wry scarce.

AUCKLAND. The approaching departure of his Excellency Colonel Browne is evoking displays of' friendly feeling which must he gratifying to him. A farewell dinner has 1 een given hnu by the //ibeinian Jesevoleut Society, from his speech at which it was pie; s nt to fi ul that his /Excellency’s recollections of vVew Zealand will he Jgreeiblel! //e quoted, with a slight, alteration, lire line, “ AJy heart’s in New-Zea-land wherever I roam.” Sundry halls, a farewell concert, and other manifestations of respect, will ir.a' e his departure'less disagreeable than it might otherwise aa\e been, Complimentary a<ldresses have also been j reseated by both legislative chambers. An address of congratulation to Sir George Grey is in course of signature. ../’lie Governor of New .Zealand not only never dies, but the birth of the new.-possessor, of the title is hailed with acclamation before the old one has expired. The Assembly was. prorogued on the 7th inst. a resolution had leen passed, that it should be called together again not later than' March next. The following are the most important bills passed since our last advices, — The Provincial Audit bill, to prevent the expenditure of public money without the sanction of the Councils ; the auditor is elected by the Provincial Council with the concurrence of the Auperiuteudeirt. 7 T he New Provinces act Amendment act, which requires 201 signatures instead of liiO to a petition for separation, and that more publicity be gven to such a movement - than was obligatory under theold act. The .Diseased Cattle acr, to prevent the importation or diseased cattle, by .which'" the Governor has power to appoint inspector-r----and places of quarantine, to dec are prohibited ports, and to cause infected cattle to be destroyed, and may delegate these powers to Superintendents. ; The following is his /excellency’s closingaddress : . Honorable Gentlemen of ihe Legislation Council and Gentlemen oj the House of"Representatives , > Being advised that the business of thecountry no longer requires your continuance ill Session, I now release you from your legislative duties.

[ thank you for the manner in which you have expressed your readiness to aid the Imperial Government in the'maintenance of law and order ant the, preservation of the tran-quillity-of the colony, as well as for the readiness with which you have ‘seconded my efforts in that direction, and recognised ray desiie-to promote the prosperity of the colony. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives , X'thank you fuf the.supplies.which you liuyw so liberally voted for the public servicevmoreespecially for- those intended for the benefit and advancement of the aboriginal ' '"natives,, v and assure, you that those supplies shall beeconomically administered..

' 1 haVe much satisfaction in informing you that the revenue is increasing, ami that the recent discoveries of gold in large quantities, npart from other normal causes, leave no doubt of such an increase of population as will add largely to, and permanently maintain, the revenue of the colony. Honorable Gentlemen and Gentlemen, The act for giving legal force to the regulation of the /Registrar-General of Deeds, will, I trust, result in great and lasting improvements in the transfer of landed property, a subject second in importance to few ever brought under the consideration of the Legislature. I have assented with pleasure to the useful measures which you have passed on many olher subjects, which cannot fail to promote the welfare of the colony.

This being the last time on which I shall have the honor , to address this Assembly, 1 take advantage of it to offer, personally, to the honorable gentlemen of the Legislative Council and gentlemen of the house of Representatives my warm thunks for the great courtesy I have invariably received from them. I declare the Assembly to stand prorogued to Monday, the 7th of October next. T. Goke Z?rqwne, Sept. 7, 1801.

Direct steam communication between Sydney and Auckland is to be resumed, the sum of .£3OOO having been voted for that purpose by the General Government, and the province of Auckland undertaking to make up the subsidy ta £6OOO.

The accounts from Waikato vary. Some speak of a strong desire on the part of the natives for peace, as they are finding serious inconvenience from the almost total cessation of their trade, and the impossibility of getting their customary supplies of food ; beside which their ammunition is getting short. On the other hand, the young men in some of the districts adhere strongly to. the King party.

Peeuro-Pneumonia. —The evidence given before the committee appointed by the bouse of /Representatives to ascertain the advisableness of prohibiting the importation of cattle, is interesting to stockholders. Mr JFalters, butcher, stated that there .were about 100 cattle killed in Auckland every we .k for the supply of the inhabitants and troops, (hat the present contract price was 6|<l, and that there were plenty of cattle iu New Zealand to sup-, ply the demand. Mr. Rhodes, stockholder,Wellington, thought that there might be 3000 to 4000 fat cattle in Wellington province, that one-fifth of the whole number (perhaps 100,000) of cattle in the north island might be considered fit for killing, and that there might be as many more in the middle island ; that the price o? cattle brought from Wellington or Nelson to Auckland would be double in Auckland of the price at the place of shipmentand that by means of powerful steamers beef might be taken from Wellington to Auckland. Mr. Farmer, settler, in Auckland, had seen the disease in Scotland iu 1855. It affected the lungs, and the cattle were generally dead in three or four days; sometimes they lingered a fortnight. It was decidedly infectious. Cattle had caught it by drinking from, the same stream as diseased beasts, but he did not know if the infection was communicated by the air.

Mr. Kilgour, butcher, said that he. had seen the disease in Scotland—*it was very infectious j had known people ruined by it; had known cases of cure by severe blistering on the left side; thought the disease spread by contact.. Dr. Aiken had seen the disease in Ireland twenty-five years ago ; : thought it infectious at d epidemic. Mr. John Anderson, veterinary surgeon, had seen many cases in England, Scotland, and France; it was communicated by the air, by inoculation, and contact, probably by the breath and saliva; had seen several recoveries ; the. disease is worst on its first breaking out in a district, when the loss is 50 per cent., afterwards it is reduced to 10 or 15 per cent.; a dairyman he knew bought cows and exposed them to infection at this last stage to lessen his loss, as the disease is not taken a second time, and he considered the offspring of cows that had passed through the disease less liable to infection. On post modern,, examination, the right lung was found most diseased', with an effusion of lymph which joins the lung to the side; ,the lungs much enlarged, hard, and speckled with black and reddish spots;. the heart smaller and lighter iu colour than in a healthy state, and soft to the touch ; fluke worms often found in the ljyer. An experienced person might detect the disease at the time of the embarkation of. cattle. If symptoms were afterwards discovered, the cattle should be put in quarantine, and kept there for a month after perfect recovery. Mr. G. J. Austin, veterinary surgeon, thought Typhoid Pleuro-pneumonia the most fatal of all cattle diseases ; it was infectious and epidemic, but not contagious ;, the infection might be carried half a mile or any greater distance, its transit being effected, by currents of air, electricity, &c., hut it wonld not he communicated by water, and. would not spread from one island to the other unless conveyed by cattle. It was supposed to have come from /fungary, thence through Prussia, J/olland, and Belgium into. England. The following may be considered, the symptoms : The affected, animals- will be found early in the morning, separated from* the other cattle, looking chilly, and not ruminating (or chewing the. cud).? They will, however, as the day advances, mingle with the herd and graze. A r s. the disease'progresses the separation from, the rest will be more marked. The hair will.be erect (or as it is termed a staring coat),, and. the, back slightly arched; rumina.

tion will be partially suspended, frequent cough; With a mucous rattle or rale, horns and legs alternately hot and cold ; on the least excretion the breathing becomes quickened, pulse variable, being quick when the extremities are hot, and slow and feeble when the latter are cold In many cases there is a husky cough present for a considerable period before the animal shows any other symptoms of the disease: at times the bowels are constipated, but more frequently the reverse. As the disease advances the cough becomes more frequent but weak, the breathing laboured, and accompanied by a grunt. On applying the ear to the side a crepitating or grating sound may be heard. The muzzfe or nose will be dry. If a dairy cow, the lacteal or milk secretion, which hitherto has not been much altered, will now be almost suspended, and the appetite nearly lost. The animal will grate-.the teeth and not ruminate, and will be found lying down. These symptoms increasing, particularly the short breath, faint grunt, cold ears, nose, and legs, except the cough, which will now be gone, or at' most a suppressed cough may occasionally be heard auscultation, or applying the ear to the side, detects an increased bronchial sound, but the crepitating or grating sound of the pleura, is now gone or nearly so. Diarrhoea, if it has not been a previous symptom, now generally sets in, and the poor beast expires from suffocation caused by solidification of the air cells of the lungs. - ,

T\ iat Pl’euro-Pneimonia, is a misnomer, is now generally admitted. The disease being one of fever, of a low or intermittent kind, and frequently assuming the typhoid form ; and this is particularly shown by the post-mor-tem appearances. If it does not assume this form it is more easily curable ; but the lungs never regain their normal structure. The beast, however, will fatten.

NETS ON. The West Coast —By letters from the West Coast we learn that about eighty persons are now digging in the neighbourhood of the Buller river, and the prospects they get are very promising. The diggings are spreading towards Karamea, and it is supposed that they will, during the ensuing summer, reach Mount Arthur. Want of roads is beginning already to be felt, and there is great difficulty in trans-. porting, provisions to. those at work any dis-. tance np the river. There are'several people working in a river (Wairaangaroa) six miles north of the port* which is remarkably rich in .coarse, heavy gold. The quartz reef discovered some time since by Mi. Rochfort in the Buller river is supposed to break through the hills at the river fFaimangaroa. About 100 ounces of gold had been procured in three weeks by a party almost entirely with the tin dish, within six miles of the Duller river, and close to the coast. Should many vessels make trips to these diggings, it is said that a pilot for the Buller river will be absolutely necessary, as its north channel is filled np; and though the southern channel is now straight and deep, it would yet be nearly useless, on account of the shifting nature of the bar, to put up marks for the guidance of vessels* The ketch Jane ami schooner Mary have taken about sixty passengers to the diggings, with a large quantity of provisions. Both had to refuse several passengers for the want of room. The -Supply and the Gifsy are now advertised to sail for the Buller river.— vExarhiner, 4th /Sept ember. *

Sporting. — r Mr. W. Robinson, of Cheviot Rills, Aimiri, who is now in London, purchased at the sale of her ./Majesty’s yearlings, held at /fampton Court, on the Bth of June last, .with the intention of sending lies to Nelson, a remarkably fine filly by Gemma di Vergi, Opt of the Deformed, by Burgundy oi? Harkaway. Bell's Life in London , in its ac count of the sale, remarks of this purchase-™* “ the handsomest and finest of the fillies, a dark brown,, by Gemma di Vergi, long and low with great power, was ‘-put up’ at 200 guineas, and, in less time than it takes to record it, she was bid. up by fifties at a time, sharply poured in by the A r ew Zealanders, until she reached 450 guineas, when she became theirs, which she would hardly have done only for an immense wen or wart on her near hind fetlock,, which, though it disfigured her, did not appear to interfere with her action.” It is Mr. Robinson's intention to purchase three or four more thoroughbred yearling fillies during the summer, also some mares and a stallion, and to despatch them for Nelson in the autumn,, so as to arrive here about tile end of the present year, and, in pursuance of this intention, he had offered, 2,000 guineas for Ben Webster,, the winner of the Chester V7np. J;{ the fillies arrive safely, they will be .trained and raced before going to the stud, so that we may hope to see tiie respective merits of English and colonial-bred horses fairly tested on the turf of this colony.— lbd.

VICTORIA:. The Elections. —These are causing considerable excitement. The principal questions are, protection to colonial industry by. high customs duties-r-and payment to members of the Legislature for their arduous and.beneftcent labours. £3OO a year is mentioned as a fair douceur to these patriots,, and among the candidates for the. honour are three porters, one, emoloyed by a railway company, the other two by private individuals. The master of one of the porters is also a candidate. These gentlemen, if- elected,. ought:to he able to carry all the measures they take in hand.

Cure for Pleijro Pneumonia. — To,, the Editors.—Sirs, -rl see by, your issue of tiie 10th inst., that a mistake has occurred respecting my prescription for the cure of pleuropneumonia ; the following is correct: 48 grains

of corrosive sublimate dissolved, add to that one bottle sperm oil, then take one wineglass of turpentine! add one pint of warm Water, drench '.the beast mvith this; then take one oz saltpetre-, one oz pepper, add one pint warm water, drench the beast and let him up. Tins will cure most cases, but if in eight or ten days any remnant of the disease is perceivable in any way, then give the following; quarter oz saltpetre, half oz sulphur, half pint sperm oil, add one pint warm water, drench and bleed him severely. You will oblige by giving this publicity.—Knurs, #c. #c„ Benjamin Slater, Docker’s Plains, 12th «/uly, 1861.— '■Federal Standard.

Great Billiard Match. —A match between Mr. J. Lamb und Mr. J. Stephenson has pxcited great interest. The game was 300 up, Mr. Stephenson receiving 50 points, and was played at the y/lbion //otel, Melbourne. Mr. /Stephenson is a really sound player, and for a period of over 20, years lias, been the acknowledged best player in New /South Wales or Tasmania,, but was out of practice. From the mat-che3 Mr. Lamb has played, both in. California and England, he is a star of the first magnitude, and shines resplendency in either hemisphere. After a few strokes, Mr., Stephenson astonished the spectators by the brilliancy of his style, round the table for cannons being evidently his forte. W hen. the balls were considered safe he repeatedly brought them into play, and at the termination of the first hundred the game was called —“ Mr. Stephenson, 100; Mr. Lamb, 11.” After a variety of fluctuations they made 238 each. Mr. Stephenson then obtained Iff off a break (in the course of which he made son\e4extraordinary screws), making tke game 25*7 to 238. Mr. Lamb, after making a few losing hazards, left himself iu balk and the ml between the spot anil the top cushion, apparently safe, but, to the surprise of all, Mr. Stephenson screwed from the balk off the red into the corner pocket. This stroke was followed by-a spontaneous hurst of applause. After a series of brilliant strokes the game stood-*=Mi\ Stephenson, 294; Mr. Lamk 2ffs. In the two following strokes Mr. Lamb made a cannon and a winning hazard, and won one of the best played games seen in Melbourne by 4 points t

[From the Otago Witness .]

The news of the paying nature of the field which for a time emptied the city of Dunedin, and gave its streets a comparatively deserted appearance, has reached the other parts of New Zealand, and is also telling in Victoria, consequently our chief town has presented a very animated appearance—-the jetty lined with small craft, the quay crowded with carts loading with goods, and the streets thronged with diggers packing drays for the diggings. A larger number of small craft {have arrived coastwise during the month than have ever visited us in a like period, each bringing its quota of diggers mostly provided with all the requisites for their work, and prepared to be off at once. 7'he immigrants by the Ntorm Cloud, who arrived at the close of last month, »nd found themselves unexpectedly in a land <>f gold, are all off from the barracks with the exception of one or two families. The passengers by the Chrysolite have been absorbed in the community. Those by the Velore from Aondon have been equally lost sight of. The total number of vessels arrrived during the month is 29, and of passengers 821. The greater portion of these people are off to the diggings. Of the passengers .by the Oscar, a considerable number are experienced diggers from l>.illaarat, and come, we understand, as deputations from the diggers there to test the Otago Field, with the view of reporting to their comrades there; and should they he successful, we may anticipate a rush from thence. Already there , ; are six ships advertised to sail from Melbourne—two of which are of large tonnage, 1000 and 1200 tons respectively—besides our regular steamers the Omeo and Pirate.

From the diggings the news continues to be of the most encouraging description ; the yield i 3 improving; claims at first thought to be worthless, and which were abandoned by the first seekers, have been subsequently worked by new comers, and have turned out very rich. The gold found is heavier than that first discovered, and the finds are larger. The result of the labours of some of the most successful parties has been reported from time to time Amongst the most fortunate has, we believe, been a party of three, who started working nearly at the commencement of the diggings, and have cleared more than ,£IOO0 —that is, in a little over two months, a party of ten obtained 2G6 ounces in three weeks.., -'Four made £SO each in the same period; four others averaged 25s per day for three weeks; v/’hilst another party of five obtained G 6 oz. each in the same period. Five men got 7 lb. & oz. in one day; seven men found 270 oz. in three weeks ; three obtained 93 ounces in thirteen days, and one man and his son have made £SOO in a month. Five men obtained 15 ounces per diem for three weeks, four men 16 ounces for three weeks, and a party of five got about 170 ounces in four weeks. Our correspondent informs us that,—

“Mr. Read’s party are averaging about £lO a day each, and several more are doing equally well; amongst others may be men-, tioned Johnson’s party, consisting of five, who in eight days have cleared 15 lbs.; John Cargill's, who I understand made yesterday 43 oz.; and a Canterbury party of four or five, who have in three weeks obtained over 11 lbs. Many parties have gone over to Munroe’s Gully, and all of them, to whom I have spoken appear quite satisfied with their prospects—a sure indication of getting on well; ; indeed, I believe some of them are turning out a pound weight a day. I heard a story yesterday, but cannot vouch for its accurac} T —? further than that my informant is a person who would not knowingly exaggerate—r-of a party of eight persons working in Munroe’s Gully, who, because of some dispute thought it advisable to separate, and accordingly two of the number seceded, receiving their legitimate share of the claim • this they worked, and at the end of a week found themselves the possessors of £470.” *

At the present moment there are between three and four thousand persons on the field. The whole of this number cannot obtain claims in Gabriel’s Gully—-the gully first worked—r and th.ey have of necessity spread over a large space and into adjoining gullies.. Hitherto we hare heard no complaint of want of success being at all general, but as the population increases, whether the gold fields are as extensive as they are rich will be speedily tested. The result of a prospecting party is thus stated by a correspondent:—

“We sunk two holes close to where we had camped—not more than one hundred yards <iistant*--and at the depth of eighteen inches or two feet gold was discernible ; twelve inches deeper we reached the bottom, consisting of blue slate. We washed two tin dishes of this bottom stuff, which produced 9 dwts. some gts.; the exact number I cannot now say, but very little short of half an ounce. 7'he,gold was larger and heavier than the generality of that found in Gabriel's Gully.” Others have been out prospecting, and are satisfied with their success ; hut as these persons have claims not yet \v;orked out, and cannot by the working regulations hold claims in reserve, they naturally keep, their experience to themselves, until they have had an opportunity, or rather under the necessity, of taking up new claims.. If more gold, is to be found, and, in other places, we may rest assured that with such considerable numbers.of experienced miners in the country as have lately arrived, it will not long remain concealed. The diggers are reported as quiet and orderly-r-no further disputes arising than such as must exist on a gold field, and especially before any properly constituted authority existed to settle such disputes. It is much to the credit of the diggers that matters, should have progressed

missioner. A. C. Strode, Esq., Gold Commissioner, W. Parker, Esq., .Receiver, and Mr. M’Kay, assistant, were appointed cn the 24th July, hut arrangements could not be completed to enable them to take the field before the 21st inst.; and even then the difficulties of communication were such that very insufficient accommodation could alone be provided. It is, however, extremely satisfactory to learn that the appointments meet with the approval of the diggers, and that the Commissioner has discharged his duties under all difficulties, in a manner which inspires confidence. But little has been done, or could be done, in road-making, a few creeks have been made passable. The Waitahunn has been bridged, and measures have been taken to put the Taieri Ferry on a more satisfactory footing. 7’he erection of a house of accommodation on the West Taieri road has been commenced by the ‘Government, and encouragement has been given for the establishment of others in different localities. The chief efforts of the local government have been directed towards the establishment of an efficient police force ; and, with that view, the services of Mr. St. John Branigan have been secured. 7’his gentleman has had long experience in the colony of Victoria (the most efficient body of police in existence), and is highly spoken of by Captain Ntandish, the Chief Commissioner of that department. No expence has been spared by the local Government to put this department in working order, and we trust that shortly we shall have such an efficient force as will effectually guard the community from any evils which may arise from the influx of questionable [characters, who are sure to be tempted by our gold fields, and who might have been encouraged by our weakness to commit crimes, which, from ouy isolated position, the difficulty of escaping from the colony, and the almost certainty of detection, we may now hope to reduce to the minimum. Owing to the excitement consequent upon the gold discovery, the ordinary business of the country, of at least a large section of our community, has been neglected. The progress of agriculture will, for a time, be slowthat important branch of industry will, in fact, retrograde. Land will go out of cultivation, and, as a matter of course, less land will be purchased, and the land revenue will fall. It has done so already. 7’he present month will not yield more than £llOO of land revenue. Some lime since, when the Northern Hundreds were proclaimed, and the first block of land surveyed at Oamaru was thrown open for sale, one section_of rural land sold at £l7 per acre, and a thousand acres averaged £7 10s per awe. Other blocks of land in this district will shortly be sold, and we fully anticipate a very considerable reduction in price; indeed, it would not surprise us were a great deal of it not to sell for more than the upset price of £1 per acre. Yet there is some of the finest land in the province situate in the immediate neighbourhood of the fast risiug township of Oamaru, which has been declared a port of entry ; and should the Lindis diggings prove valuable, when they can be effectively worked during the summer, Oamaru will be the port from whence these diggings will draw their supplies and ship their gold. The rush to gold diggings, if general, invariably depreciates the value of property in the immediate neighbourhood but it is not long before a reaction takes place ; the influx of population soon restores matters to their old position, and if the influx he very great, considerably increases the value of all landed property. At this moment, therefore, in the province of Otago, the purchase of land is about as safe and profitable a speculation as caa be entered into. It is also very desirable that the Government should be in a position to induce those who may come to dig for gold to settle permanently in the country, and there is no more permanent tie to bind men to the country than to afford them every facility, and to induce them to become purchasers of land. JVith this view it is essential that there should always be a supply to meet the demand, and it will be well, after taking due care not to sell auriferous soil, for our Government, by the proclamation of 7/undreds in the neighbourhood of the Gold fields, to make a migrating population of diggers permanent colonists. By the last mail from the North the Superintendent of the Province lias received a Crown grant of that portion of the harbour off the town of Dunedin, between high-water mark and the deep water. This grant came very opportunely, when, from the growing import-, ance of the Province, and the probable increase of its commerce, it is necessary to provide greater facilities for the landing and housing of goods. The present jetty and its appliances will be totally inadequate to the commercial wants of the place in a few months, it may be in a few weeks. The waste of property from the want of proper means and places to discharge ships at Melbourne during the great rush there, consequent upon the gold discoveries, may be known to many of our readers in Otago; if not, it will be difficult for any one who only knows Melbourne now, with its extraordinary facilities for dischargingcargo, to conceive what it was at the time we allude to. We do not, of course, anticipate the re-enactment of the scenes of Melbourne, but it is quite evident that without greater facilities for business than- already exist in Otago are afforded, the tax upon the public by the loss of time and the increase of labour in landing every species of goods, will be something very considerable. Public works, which a few years since it would have appeared absurd to speak of, much more to attempt, seem now witli our increasing prosperity before us, to become i almost necessities. If we are to have persons! by thousands traversing the great South road, ; or drawing their supplies from Dunedin, the

bridging of the same river at the Upper Ferry has already been determined on by the Provincial Council, and money appropriated for the purpose; and a railway to the Tokomairiro by no means appears so chimerical a thing as it did a year or two since. A railway to Port Chalmers is a matter actually contemplated; offers will, we believe, be made by private persons during the next session of the Provincial Council to bridge the Taieri at the Lower Ferry—to erect a jetty at Port Chalmers to deep water, at which ships of 1000 tons burden may discharge ; it is not improbable that a company to construct a railway to Port Chalmers may be formed, and an electric telegraph is now an absolute necessity. 7/ow are these great works to be executed ? Will the local Government be in a position to execute them ? If not, it is worth while considering whether it would not ha advisable to allow those who are willing to undertake these works to do so upon advantageous terms. Assuming the diggings to last, what a future is open to the once poor insignificant Province of Otago —the actual existence of which our Northern neighbours and our General Government were wont to forget! We shall scarcely know ourselves in twelve months.

Public Worship at the Diggings. —lt is an excellent arrangement made by our Presbyterian ministers in the present emergency, by which our digging population are each Sunday supplied with divine service. A large tent has been sent out to the gold field, for the accommodation of minister and people during public worship. We understand that the Presbytery at their last sitting agreed to send home to Scotland for five additional ministers for Otago, to supply the wants of our increasing population.'

i Church Conference.— We learn that it has been agreed to hold a conference of ministers and office-bearers connected with the Presbyterian Church of Ne w Zealand in Dunedin next November, for the formation of a General Synod or Assembly. The Rev. Messrs. Bruce and Mackay, with two elders, from Auckland, are expected here in November, and other Presbyterian ministers from various provinces have also been invited.

The following letter is from the Lyttelton Times, 28th August: — Tuapeka Gold Fields, Aug. 14.

I now write you a few lines about the Tuapeka gold fields, so that you will be able to inform your friends of the truth about the diggings. 7 was a week in getting here from Dunedin. The roads are in an awful state, it takes 20 bullocks to pull one dray with a 12 cwt. load. The diggings lie iu a gully between two ranges of hills, and a small creek runs through, where the diggers have their tents pitched close alongside. The gully is very narrow in some places, and not over 200 yards in the widest; all the best claims are taken up. Any man however who can stand up to his knees all day in water can get 255. per day and his grub. The average finding on these diggings is about £2 a man per day; but plenty!are not making more than their grub, and there are some working at 10s. per day and their grub. There are a few lucky ones making about 40 1 per day, but that is only one party consisting of six. My advice is, for people to stay where they are for two months, this gully will then be worked out, and Mr. Reid says that when it is he will show them another. I would also advise parties of six to form themselves at home, and provide themselves with a California pump* sluice, picks, shovels, tent, blankets, &c., and whatever they need in the way of provisions can be obtained in Dunedin.

I have had a cold ever since I came here ; at present I would not go and dig for any man under 3/ per day. It is killing work, and every man deserves to do well.

Several letters were received in Wanganu 1 last week from parties who had arrived in Otago from this—some of them confirmatory of the newspaper accounts, others less favourable. One, from an experienced Australian digger, mentions the prospect as being much superior to anything he had seen in Australia. Another written from Dunedin, describes that town as presenting a very animated and thriving appearance; large stone buildings for stores, are going, up, and generally the place seems prosperous. Sections of a quarter acre are held at 25s to 45s per foot frontage, according to locality. Carpenters’ wages 15s per day. Persons going to Otago, are advised rather to go in small steamers which discharge at Dunedin wharf, than in large vessels, which remain at Port .Chalmers—thereby entailing on passengers an expence of. 31 to 4/ extra for conveyance to Dunedin.

Holloway's Ointment and Pills. —Encrusted No res.—Few external disorders are more loathsome than this. It is unhappily, hpw.ever, but too common. Sometimes they disfigure the face and cometimes cover almost the whole body. There is positively no remedy for this unsightly ailment, so powerful, so immediate, so thorough as Holloway’s far-famed Ointment. If carefully spread over the encrusted sores night and morning, they‘will speedily and entirely disappear, especially if the action of the Ointment is assisted by a course of the Pills, which operate directly on the circulation purify the whole system, and thereby facilitate the cure. Besides purifying the fluids, these Tills sharpen the appetite, give tone to the stomach and strengthen the whole physical system. 51

7th and Bth November, 18G1. STEWARDS. Major Tp.afford, Major Logan, 57th Regt. Capt. Blewett, 65th Re gt Capt. Daniell, Dk. Gibson, John Cameron, Esq. COMMITTEE. W. Watt, Esq,., Major Trafford, James Alexander, .Esq. Capt. Magbath, Dr. Gibson, Lieut. Lewis, 65th Regt. J. Tbeweek, Esq. JUDGE. John Cameron, Esq. CLERK, of TEE COURSE. Samuel Deighton, E sq.

FIRST DAY. 1. Produce Plate of £SO, (or more if subscribed) added to a Sweep stakes of £5 ss. each, PP., open to all horses foaled in the colony, and that have never run for Public money previous to the ensuing racing season. 3 yrs. old, Bst. 71b., 4 yrs. 9st. .71b., 5 yrs. 10st., 6 yrs. and aged lOst. 41b. Heats, mile and-a-half; second horse to receive .£lO out of the stakes. No person allowed to enter a horse without he is a subscriber of at least one guinea to this Plate. 2 Scurry Stakes of £ , added to a sweepstakes of one guinea each, p.p. Heats, one mile and a-half. Catch weights. 3 Ladies' Purse of £ , added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. each, open to all horses. 3 yrs. old, lOst. 41b., 4 yrs. list. 41b., 5 yrs. list, 101 b 6 yrs. and aged, 12st. Heats, 2 miles, second horse to save his stakes. 4. Stock horse Race of £ , added to a sweepstakes of £1 each, for Stock-horses bona fide the property of Stock-owners in the districts of Wanganui and Rangitikei, that have been regularly ridden after stock for at least 12 months before the date of entrance, and that are not entered for any race of the present meeting. Weights same as for Wanganui Stakes, post entrances, single event, two miles. SECOND DAY 1. Hurdle Race of £ , added to a sweepstakes of £2 2s. each, p. p. 3 yrs. 9st., 4 yrs. lOst, 5 yrs. lOst. 71b., 6 years and aged lOst. lOlbs. Heats 2 miles, over six hurdles 4ft. high. Second horse to save his stakes. The winner of the Produce or Ladies’ Purse to carry. 41b. extra. 2. Wanganui Stakes of £ , added to a sweepstakes of £3 3s. each, open to all horses. 3 yrs, old 9st., 4 yrs. old lOst., 5 yrs. lOst. 71b., 6 yrs. old and aged lOst. 101 b. JPinners and thoroughbred horses to carry 41b. extra. Heats two miles, second horse to save his stakes. \> .

3. Maori Race , entrance 10s., open to all Morses bona fide the property of natives, and that have not run for any previous race of the'meeting. Six horses to start or no race; native riders.

4. Consolation Stakes of £, , entrance J&l Is. each, for ail horses that have run and not won a race during this meeting. Post entrances, weights to be handicapped by the stewards, single event, once round the course and a distance. Mares and geldings to be allowed 4 lbs. jockeys to appear in proper costume. The following rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to : 1. There shall be a distance post for each race. 2. Any person horse must be a subscriber of <£l Is. to the Race Fund. 3. Notice i 3 to be given to the .Stewards of all Matches that may be wished to be run between any of the Races. 4.. No person will be permitted to gallop or ride on the course during tho Race days. 5. All dogs found on tho course will be destroyed. 6. The Traces will commence punctually at 11 o’clock; half-an-hour allowed between each Heat and /face. 7. AW applications for Booths to be made to the Committee, who will point out the sites and regulate the scale of charges for tho occupation of the ground. 8. The Rules of the Wellington Jockey Club will be strictly adhered to. Entrances for the Produce Plate to be made in writing to the Stewards, at the ffanganui 7/otel, on or before Thursday, 10th October, at 10 o’clock, p.m. AW entries for the remaining Races to close at the Rutland Hotel on Monday, 4th November, at 10 o’clock, p.m. All disputes to be referred to the Stewards, whose decision will be final. Subscriptions will be received at the Oriental Bank Corporation.

Maiden Plate of & , to be run in Nov. 1862, added to a subscription of 5 guineas each, for a 11,4 year olds foaled in the Colony. Weights 9st. 7 lbs. one event, two mdes. < Subscribers to, declare on the 4th November, 1861, to the /face Committee at the Rutland Hotel, before 1.0 o’clock, p. in, after which no subscription will be taken, /forges to be named and subscriptions paid ,on or before the 10th October, 1862. By Order of the Stewards, f/ENRY STOKES; Mon. See and Treasurer. Aog. 8, 1861,