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Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2524, 13 September 1888, Page 2

The Native Office is to be merged into the Colonial Secretary's Department as soon as possible. Inspector Goodwin will commence the annual examination of the Hamilton East School to-day. We remind our readers of Mr Stewart's lecture on "Byron" at S. Andrew's this evening. A meeting of the committee of the Luke tree planting bee will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m., to wind up its affairs and pay accounts. The town of Alexandra, on its own petition, has been taken under the control of the Waipa Comity, in preference to continuing under a local board. There was a curious change of weather yesterday, which turned to sharp cold, and during the day a thunder storm passed over the country, accompanied by heavy showers of rain. Merryman, Master Agnes and Parthenopieus have been entered for the Waikato horse parade on Tuesday next, in addition to the horses previously advertised. It is calculated by the president of the Christelmrel) Chamber of Commerce, that over a million carcases of frozen mutton will be exported during the next 12 months. The entertainment previously advertised, and which was postponed from the 30th last month, in aid of the widow and family of the late Mr Abbot, of Pukete, will take place on Thursday next, September 20th. Mr Isaacs went up by train yesterday to Okoroiri with the intention of proceeding at once with the erection of his proposed hotel, for which tenders will shortly be invited.

Mr Silvester Davis, of Hamilton, has been busy for the last few days supplying; an order fur 30,000 bricks to the To Aroha Cold and Silver Mining Company, Waiorongomai. This represents some extensive building operations in connection with this undertaking. Another old settler has passed away, in the person of Mrs Runcimaii, wife of Captain lluncinian, of Marsh Meadows. The deceased lady has been ailing for some time, and died last night, at half-past nine, at the age of (iO years. There has been no apparent interest taken in the Hamilton Borough elections, which will be contested today. A good deal of quiet canvassing and counting of nose?, however, has been done by the supporters of the various candidates. There will no doubt be a brisk whipping up of the ratepayers during the day. The funeral of the late Mr John Marty n on Tuesday was very largely attended. The services at the Tamahere Church were conducted by Archdeacon Willis and the Rev. R. O'C. Biggs. The chief mourners were Mr John Martyn, senr., Mr James Hume, and Mr J. L. Wilson, (of Auckland), deceased's brothers-in-law, together with other family connections. A correspondent writes to us from the East Coast, to say that there are several people from Australia making enquiries fur land. One gentleman named Mr T. D. Wost, who is connected with the Broken Hills, has purchased Mr McPherson's estate in the Bay of Plenty, and also intends taking up a large block of land in the same district. He is said to be worth at least, £200,000. The residence of Mr Robert Henry, farmer, of Hnkanui, had a narrow escape from total destruction on Saturday afternoon la3t. Some sparks from the chimney fell on the roof and ignited the shingles, which are tolerably old, and set them in flames. Mrs Henry, who was at home, with great presence of mind, got on the roof and put the fire out before it had taken a firm hold. A patch about six feet square in the roof was burnt through, and but for Mrs Henry's prompt action the house must have been destroyed.

There was a large attendance at the Salvation Army on Tuesday evening last, when the meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton East. Many testified to the good they had received, through the instrumentality of the "Army," since they held thoir first meetings in their hall. It is intended to hold a meeting fit least once every week in the Oddfellows' Hall, for the benefit of the Hamilton East people. Another public enrolment will probably take place at the close of the meeting to-night (Thursday). The Eneltsh mail by direct alaaimir closes in Waikato on S.<t'<rduy morning, the loth inst. This mail ia due at Plymouth, November lbt. Cocrespou-

denco for the United Kingdom, ifcc., intended to be sent by tho New Zealand Shipping Company's stuamers must now be specially addressed. Tho "Tanui " replaces the " Huapehu " for the conveyance of the homeward mail this month, leaving Lyttclton on the 20th, and fur the future the homeward mails will be forwarded by the steamers of the .Shaw-Savill and Albion line.

We have received from Messrs Gordon and Gotoh, the well-known publish, ing linn, a very useful and handy book just issued by them, "The Australasian Newspaper Directory." The book contains several pages of reading matter, giving a history of the leading journals of the colonies, and of tho establishment of the first newspaper agency about thirty-four years ago by Messrs Gordon and Goteh. There is also space devoted to the theory or philosophy and benefits of advertising. The directory, which occupies several pages, srives the name and place of publication of every registered paper in each colony. There are also several pages of advertisements. The book is neatly bound, and will be useful for reference.

M- le Comte de Jouffray d'Abbans, French Consul at Wellington, says money is cheaper in Franco now than in any other country, and consequently French capitalists are searching all over the world for better investments than they can get at home. A French bank proposes to start a branch in Melbourne, and M. le Comte thinks that this move by the bank will result in a large amonnt of French capital being sent to Australasia for investment. For the rest the French capitalists show a strong predilectiou for investments in mining enterprises, and there are now French mining companies at work in all parts of the world, in California, Canada, Mexico, in every state of South America, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Siberia, Algeria, South Africa, tho Straits Settlements, every metal and mineral being included in their aggregate of products. Ho expects tho display of minerals and mining appliances at the i"aris Exhibition of next year will be the most complete ever seen. The schools of mines of France are a very important feature in developing the mining industry. The first grade of students are treated as officials and pai«l, in order to encourage ynung men to attend the schools, whilst another grade receive tuition free. The chief mining school of Paris is the largest in the world.

We clip the following from the annual report presented recently to tho Christchureh Chamber of Commerce:—

"State of trade—During the past twelve months the estates that have come under the administration mf tho Official Assignee in Canterbury have been of comparatively little importance, and trade in general appears to be carried on at present on a far sounder basis than was tho cuso some years ago. The values of our products are all fairly remunerative, and any material rise in prices would give a marked impetus to trade and enterprise throughout the colony. The export of frozen meat during the [last twelve months is larger than in any previous year, and the values quoted for meat in London since the latter end of July are eminently satisfactory to shippers. Money has been plentiful for mixed mortgages where a satisfactory margin of security was available, and for legitimate trade requirements, but no encouragement has been offered to persons desirous to embark in speculative undertakings. Good agricultural land has been saleable at fair values, but the high prices wo have been accustomed to in past years have disappeared, while town and suburban properties are still difficult of sale. In view ot the healthier outlook for the agricultural industry and other favourable conditions, your Committee look forward with confidence to a steady increase in the prosperity of the colony."