GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 6887, 18 May 1883, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

The expenses incurred by the New South Wales Government over the late visitation of smallpox to that colony amounted to no less than ESI,OOO. We were shown recently an enormous flower of the hydranga otaksi from the gardens of Mr McNab, of the Hutt. In circumference this flower measured very little short of three feet, and is as fine a specimen as we ever remember to have seen.

The Tasmanian Exhibition (says the Hobart Mercury) has come to an end. April 17 saw the finale of what has been a long continuing success, excelling in its good results even the sanguine anticipations of the promoters. The Committee, in their report os submitted to His Excellency the Governor, have the felicity of stating that, during the ten weeks the Exhibition was open, no leas than 50,000 visits were paid to it, and that a sum of over £3OOO was received, which will leave a handsome surplus to be devoted to some worthy object. From the Provisional Meteorological returns for April, received by Dr. Hector, we find that at Auckland the mean temperature in shade was OOdeg, nearly 24deg below the usual average for that month, the maximum was 71 - sdeg, and minimum 45 leg ; the total rainfall 9 935 in, about 7in in excess of average. At Wellington, mean temperature 54'8deg, 2deg lower than usual, maximum OO'Sdeg, minimum 41deg ; total rain 4’3l6in, or nearly lin in excess of average. At Dunedin, mean temperature 49'4deg, 21deg below aveage, maximum 66’Odeg, minimum 37deg-; total rain s'43oin, or a little over 3in in excess. “ How long should it take a young lady to have false teeth set? says the Auckland Evening Star, was one of the subjects discussed at length at tbs meeting of the City Schools Committee last evening. A certain school teacher, it appeared, had to undergo a dental operation of this nature, and had been allowed a month’s leave from school duties in consequence. The month proved insufficient, and another four weeks were applied for. One member considered ten or fourteen days was quite ample to have a “ new set ’’ fixed, but another knew of a case where it took three months, and then they were not perfect. All circumstances considered, the Committee decided to grant the application. Gradually (says the Rmgitikei Ad ocate the supporters of the central route for the North Island Trunk Railway are gaining accessions of strength, and the probabilities are now much in favor of justice and the public interest triumphing over local prejudices and Taranaki thirst for sucking pecuniary milk from the state cow. We have much pleasure in publishing the following extract from our Wanganui evening contemporary ; —“ Mr Hursthouae’s survey party are now investigating the topography of the country inland of Stratford, with a view to ascertaining its practicability for the formation of the through railway from Auckland as compared with that of the other rival routes. We understand that the Hon. Mr Bryce has expressed a private ) opinion in favor of a route between the Wangaehu and Kuigitikei Rivers, though he has declined to express the view of the Government on the matter ” Of course, it would be unreasonable to expect Mr Bryce or any other Minister to commit the Cabinet to an expression of opinion till Ministers had met aod discussed the fullest inhumation available as to the several routes ; but it is very satisfactory to learn that Mr Bryce’s “ private opinion” is in favor of the central route. He knows from personal inspection very much more about all the rival routes than any other member of the Government, and he is in the habit of sticking resolutely to his opinions, private or public. The arrival of a large number of independent and Government immigrants, including no less than 110 single women, by the steamer British Queen, naturally attracted a good deal of attention in tjwn, and when the vessel came alongside the wharf on Monday afternoon, there was really no elbow-room for those who actually had business, and were anxious to get aboard. Captain Nowell and his officers, apparently, have a very lively recollection of the manner in which immigrant ships are rushed in American ports, and orders were, therefore, given to allow no one aboard except those who were in a position to say that they had business. From 3 o’clock till snnset, the large T on the southern side of the wharf was the centre of attraction for the townspeople, and when, about 5 o’clock, 50 single women were brought ashore to be marched up to the Mount Cook Barracks, there was more than ordinary excitement, not a little banter being exchanged between the arrivals and those who had, apparently, come to gratify their enrosity about them. So far as the physique and general appearance of the immigrants are concerned, we think there is only one verdict, namely, that a finer looking set of men, women and children have not landed in the port since the Public Works and Immigration Policy was inaugurated. That they will be readily absorbed is open to no doubt whatever. Each of the single women has, cn the average, the choice of several situations, and the men are, apparently, finding no difficulty in making a start in the colony. It is worthy of remark that the Wellington public appeared to be exceedingly anxious to make one mad all thoroughly welcome. '

The Secretary of the Wellington Football Union has received a communication from the Secretary of the Canterbury Union promising to fall in with the scheme proposed of bavin" a Football Tournament in a central place, in order to facilitate the selection of a New Zealand team to visit New South Wales during this season. No definite answers have yet been received on this matter from other Unions that have been communicated with.

The blue ribbon movement appears to be making steady progress in Auckland, says the Evening Star, several hundred persons having already donned the badge. Steps have been taken for the formation of companies in the various suburban district, persons having been nominated to undertake the formation of each of the seven local contingents. Nothing further will be done until after the monster meeting has been held. There has been a great demand for tickets for the demonstration.

It is well known, says the Rangitikei Advocate, that while Sydney Taiwhanga and his two compatriots were in London ostensibly on the petition business, but in reality enjoying themselves, their funds soon ran out. In this dilemma they were getting quite disheartened, until a lady kindly placed £100 at their disposal, At the recent native meeting at Wanganui, the repayment of this loan cropped up, but after a good deal of talk it was believed the lady would be insulted by a repayment of the money ; it was therefore resolved to send her a large box of Maori curios, with which, it was thought, she “would be better pleased.’’ Truly there is no accounting for taste. Mabuki and seven other natives concerned in the recent outrage upon Mr Hurslhouae and hia survey party near Whatiwhatihoe, and who were recently sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, arrived per steamer Hawea from Manukau yesterday morning week. They were received by a party of Armed Constabulary and marched to the goal, where they will remain until the expiration of their sentence. Nothing has transpired as to the manner in which they will spend their time, but the would.be rebel will, in all probability, make the acquaintance of pick and shovel work.

He is said to be quite callous, but willing enough to do anything he is told to do. Hia temporary retirement from his cultivation will, no doubt, tend to give him a very different impresslou as to the consequences of rash action on his part to any which he has hitherto entertained. A new delicacy, new at least to Christchurch gourmands, has just een introduced here (says the Lyttelton Times) by the Hon, W. Robinson. That ge Icman noticed some shellfish at Gore Bay h bich bore a great resemblance to the celebrated bfohs-de-mer,or cucumbei fish. They differed, however, in form, and in having a fiat shield or shell on the back. They were black in color, and about three inches in length, by one and a half wide at the middle of the back ; their shape was oval, slightly resembling that of a large snail. Determined to find out whether hia discovery had any value as an edible, Mr Robinson brought a number of the fish to Christchurch, and submitted them to Mr Morton, at the Shades, who, though he saw at once that they were not the true b6che-de-mer, yet considered it highly probable that they might “ eat well,” and resolved to experiment with them. Under his skilful treatment the sea-snails, for such they may be termed, proved to be equal, if not superior to the genuine article. For aught we know there may be at the present time in the Scottish town of Montrose a young lady who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her wedding trousseau from London, which she ordered some five or six months ago. It is, at any rate, extremely unlikely that she has the slightest idea that a box which contained a quantity of the finery alluded to is at present lying in an ugly, matter-of-fact-looking warehouse in New Zealand, some 16,000 miles from its destination. The facts simply told are that someone in London mistook the name of the place to which the article was to bo sent for that of the barque Montrose, which was then lying in one of the docks; that it was duly shipped aboard that vessel ; and that the mistake was not discovered until its arrival in Wellington, The New Zealand Shipping Company ordered it to be sent Home again by the steamer British King, but for some unknown reason it was short shipped, and will now probably await the departure of the Fenstanton, from Port Chalmers. It is to be hoped that the young lady has found consolation in another and equally handsome garment, and that those who are responsible for the mistake have duly accounted for It in the light of pounds, shillings and pence. A curious tale of Rarotonga is told by a correspondent of the London Standard. He had resided in the island twenty years ago, and was familiar with its traditions. The first chief of the island was a warrior named Tonga, of whom one of the traditions was that “ when he set up his kingdom in the island he fixed his throne at the foot of a certain tamauu tree, whose shade made it a convenient place for holding his councils. This seat consisted of a stone measuring about eight cubic feet. According to tradition, it was at the time of the warrior’s death taken by the gods and hidden from mortal eyes, and it was commonly said that, when the tamauu tree fell, ns it was in danger of doing during severe storms, on account of its extraordinary height and age, the stone of Tonga would be found in its heart. Here I mu«t explain that twenty years ago the tree in question was the finest in the island, and measured quite 24ffc in circumference twenty feet from the base, and fully twice those dimensions at the base itself. On the lowest computation it must have been 600 years old. The story of the embedded stone proved to be no legendary myth, for about five years ago the great tree fell, and on being cut up for timber there was discovered near the centre, about 30fr. from the roots, a stone corresponding in size to the legendary seat of Tonga.” At Wanganui, says the Chronicle, the native witnesses in the stabbing case on the 26th ult., threw a flood of light upon that most mysterious of maladies—the ancestral madness of Wanganui Maoris. If one may be permitted to judge from the prisoner Poharama, this form of insanity occasionally takes troublesome forms, and a policeman of ordinary intelligence may be held blameless if he mistakes it for something else. The physical symptoms are also very severe. It was thrilling to hear Poharama’s mother describe how his eyes started so far out of his bead that, as a

measure of maternal precaution, she thought it advisable to jam them back again into their sockets. The most interesting witness yesterday was a Waitotara native who has for years past

carried on the professions of a prophet and doctor. His mode of curing madness is peculiar : Take a petticoat belonging to the patient’s wife, burn it to ashes, mix the ashes in water, and pour the mixture on to the patient’s head «having first stripped him naked), and, if he isn’t cured, there is no doubt he ought to be. However successful this remedy may prove in some cases, it cannot be said to be ancient, for it is not so many years since a petticoat was as unknown to a Maori as a missionary or a ram* bottle. The Maori doctor yesterday evidently believed both in his remedy and his supernatural powers, though Pobararaa’s arrest by a pakeha policeman did more to suddenly cure him than anything else. We were shown on Tuesday at the Museum the jaws o£ an enormous shark that measured no less than 20£t when he was in the flesh.

Tbis monster was killed lately at Mahia, Hawke’s Bay, and the story of the capture is worth relating. The fish was seen cruising about near the shore, and a boat was at once manned and put off in pursuit. Mr Shark, nothing daunted, thought he would make a meal o! the party, and commenced at the steeroar, which he snapped in two, but while he was engaged in this unsatisfactory commencement of his repast, he became aware of a sharp piece of iron trespassing in what he had hitherto regarded as his private property. This was a harpoon wtich had been successfully lodged in him. Probably thinking it unbecoming, not to say uncomfortable, to sit down to dinner with a scarf-pin sticking out of bis back, tbe shark started out to sea, where he might undress at a becoming distance, and remove the bauble. He, hcwever, found that some incomprehensible power prevented his onward progress, tbe rope attached to the harpoon having, in fact, run to its extreme limit, and thinking that tbe joke had gone far enough, and losing his naturally calm temper, he rushed back open-mouthed to the boat for au explanation of this fooling, which was tendered in the shape of a blubber spade, a strong argument, some Bft of which was pushed down his throat. Tbis ended the entertainment, and the sea-lawyer had to “ peg out,’ - sadly lamenting, no doubt, the folly of frivolity. The jaws when open are large enough to make a ring for a circus rider to jump through, and are armed with six rows of most formidable teeth, some of them being no less than an inch and half long and ah inch broad at the base. The species of tbis great beast has not yet been ascertained, and it is supposed that he belongs to a species not hitherto found in New Zealand waters. The same gentleman who brought these jaws from Hawke’s Bay also brought another monster of the deep—a perfect whale—no skeleton in pieces, but one entire and whole. The immense beast is about four inches long.

No less than fourteen steamers were in port on bunda}', the white and red flag of the Union Company flying at the mast-head of four of them. On the previous Thursday we had occasion to notice that five of this Company’s vessels were lying alongside the Queen’s Wharf,

About 6 o’clock ou Sunday night, says the Telegraph, a landslip of considerable dimensions occurred at the high cliffs overlooking the Graving Dock at Lyttelton. The downfall of earth will probably be of service to the contractor in that neighborhood, who has undertaken to reclaim a slice of the harbor in Dampier Bay. The total number of vessels entered inwards at the several ports of New Zealand for the quarter ending 31st March was 221, of an aggregate tonnage of 117,713. At Wellington, the total number of vessels cleared outward?, and their tonnage and crews, were as follows :—25 vessels, 20,967 tons, 61S crew, as compared with 21 vessels, 13,973 tons, 168 crew in the corresponding quarter of ISS2.

On Monday morning, at St. Paul's Cathedral, was celebrated a wedding between D. J, Breiuuer, Esq., of this city, and Helen, seventh daughter of the late Isaac Earl Featherston, M.D., late Superintendent of the Province, and Agent-General for New Zealand. The Rev, J. Thorpe officiated. A largo and fashionable audience assembled at the Cathedral, and many afterwards at the breakfast given by C. J. Johnston, Esq. The bride was clad in handsome white satin. She received a large number of valuable presents. The happy pair left at one o'clock for Pictou to spend their honeymoon. The bridesmaids were Miss Zoe Johnston and Mias Harcourt.

An important step in connection with the movement to obtain a new Cemetery was taken by the City Council last week. The Cemetery Committee brought up a report recommending the purchase of 520 acres at Melrose for £6OOO, the purchase money to remain at interest for ten years. The next step of the Council will be to take a poll of the ratepayers on the question. Without making • any reference to the merits of the laud from an undertaker’s point of view, it appears to us that the land is offered at a remarkably l*>w price, the rate per acre being between £ll and £l2, and should the purchase be made. Councillor Logan’s calculation, that the sale at some future period of whatever might remain after various wants had been provided for, will realize sufficient to recoup the entire outlay, is likely to prove correct. The value of the imports for the quarter ending 31st March last was £2,337,540, and of exports £2,662,747. For the corresponding quarter of last year the imports were £2,360.291. and the exports £2.472,410. There was an increase in the values of the imports at Auckland, Russel), Kaipara, Tauranga, Poverty Bay, Wanganui, Napier, Walrau, Nelson, Westport, Greymoutb, Hokitika, Lyttelton, Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Bluff. There was a decrease at the Thames, Hokianga, New Plymouth, Foxton, Wellington, Picton, Timaru, and Riverton. In the exports there was an increase at Auckland, Mongonui, Hokianga, Kaipara, Poverty Bay, Wanganui, Wellington, Westport, Timaru, Oamaru, and Dunedin. There was a decrease in the exports at Russell, Whaogaroa, Napier, Nelson, Greymoutb, Hokitika, Lyttelton, Invercargill, and Bluff. It is, probably, not generally known that Wellington possesses a claimant to the Irish Viscounty of Dillon. The present bearer of that honorable title, and his heir, are certainly among those who aro at present ignorant of the fact. This second Orton claims to be a New Zelander by birth, and tolls a somewhat disgusting history of his birth and supposed claims, which he generally pours into the ears of anyone who is willing to listen to him. He claims to have been on the most intimate terms with all the leading actors and actresses of the day, and recognises quite a number of them among those with whom he has come in contact since his arrival in this city, A little delicate attention on the part of those who usually take a matter-of-fact interest in persons who brood over supposed wrongs, and whose memory allows them to trip in such a very singular fashion would probably establish him in an estate upon which ho has an undoubted claim. We have received the City Council’s printed

statement of accounts for the year ending March 31st, 1883. They are very elaborate. From the statement of assets and liabilities we gather that the former are estimated at £752.648 20s sd, and the latter at £469,581 17s 3d. In this statement, however, what may be called the Corporation’s plant, such as Corporation workshops and site, morgue, municipal offices and site, &c., are not distinguished from the reproductive assets, such as reclaimed land, &c., so that it would be difficult to say what the Corporation’s estate would pay if it were unhappily wound-up in bankruptcy. The loans of the city are as follows ;—Six per cent. Consolidated Loan, £200,000; City Improvements Loan, £100,000; Wainui Waterworks Dnao, £130,000 ; Te Aro Reclamation Loan, £25,000 ; total, £455,000. The only amount of sinking fund paid in is apparently on account of City Improvements Loan, £25,700. The fi th ordinary annual general meeting of the Directors of the Colonial Insurance Company of New Zealand will be held at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, 16th May, at 2 p.m. The annual report and balance-fdieet will be submitted, and any other necessary business transacted. The balancesheet t-hows that the receipts, together with the balance from last year of £3Ol la 7d, amounted to £82,242 12s lOd, and the net credit balance for the year to £9158, 0s 2d. Of this sum, the Directors have placed £2500 to the reserve fund (which now stands at £10,000), and recommended the payment of a dividend of 10 per cent, to the shareholders (equal to £5000), leaving £1658 0a 2d to be carried forward to next year’s .amount, There has been a substantial increase of the Company’s business, though the competition for business has been keener than in any previous year since the Company commenced opera* tions. The business of the ensuing meeting will be to receive and adopt the Directors’ re* port and balance-sheet, to declare a dividend, to elect two Directors, those retiring in accordance with the Articles of Association being Messrs G. Randall Johnson and J. B. Harcourb, who are eligible and offer themselves for re-election, and to elect two auditors, and fix the amount of their remuneration.

The most casual visitor to the Hospital cannot fail to be impressed with the fact that the present management of the institution is eminently satisfactory. All the wards, rooms, and corridors, are moat scrupulously clean—indeed no private residence could be more so, A large number nf pot plants has been placed on the window sills in the spacious halls, others being also placed here and there on the floor, and they have a mo*t cheering effect. A few larger plant?, grown in pots «-f proj cr size, or in tubs, would, however, be very welcome additions. The wards have none of the sickroom appearance, which was ho objectionable in the old Hospital, and which was certain to have a depressing effect upon the most stouthearted patient. The open grounds between the wards have been laid out as flower gardens, and are kept in excellent order. The same remark can scarcely be made regarding the ground* in front of the building, which are overran with weeds, a few clumps of furze also showing up. There have, however, been

no available means for making improvements in this direction, and the work being really of secondary importance, it has been allowed to stand over. The nurses, who now wear a proper uniform, appear to be thoroughly contented, and thus, no doubt, tend to keep the patients in their charge in good spirits. Dr. Hammond and his staff certainly appear to have effected a number of changes, all of which must tend to the better working of the institution.

A grand Industrial Exhibition is to be held this year in Boston, Massachusetts, If.S. It is to be opened on the Ist September. In one respect it will be of a very peculiar character, as American goods will be entirely excluded, and all tbe articles will be either the produce or manufacture of the other countries of the world. On Saturday we had a visit from the agent, Mr E. W. Lincoln, of Boston, who is here, in order, if possible, to secure the patronage of the Government of New Zealand, and the co-operation of the producers and manufacturers of the colony. Among the names of the American gentlemen announced at the head of the prospectus of the undertaking are those of the . overnor of Massachusetts, the Mayor and two tx-Mayors of Boston, two Senators of the United and five members of the United States House of Representatives, besides other well-known public men, together forming a list of very wealthy and influential patrons. We trust and believe that this exhibition will prove a great success. The ouly apparent drawback

is the shortness of the notice of its opening. We are glad to learn from Mr Lincoln that of

late years (he public feeling of the United States has been greatly modified in the direction of the policy of free trade, and also that an increased desire has been expressed for an of commercial intercsurse with the Australasian colonies in general, and particularly with New Zealand.

It is probable that - - Mr Redmond, M.P., will not have time to visit New Zealand before Ids JTOtnrn to England,

A largo number of dead sheep and cattle are now found in the paddock* lately flooded in South Canterbury, ami amongst them are hundreds of bares.

The directors of the 7lank of New Zealand have determined to build at once on the section at Wnodvill-, Hawke’s Hay. recently bought by the Hank, and tender* are called for the work.

We loam that all the land-owners at Island

Ray have now consented to the diversion of the road leading across the proposed .racecourse, and the prospectus i-s therefore likely to be put before the public within a few days. The promoters a-e sanguine that the whole of the shares in the propped Company will tie taken op before the end of the month, and should the°c expectations be realised, the work of forming a course will bo proceeded with immediately, so that ft race meeting can be h(dd in November next. We understand that the National Mutual Life Association of Australia have at last decided upon erecting extensive premises upon the valuable building site recently purchased by them at the corner nf Hunter-street and Customhouse.quay, and oppo-ito to the offices of the Mutual 'Provident Society. Mr T, Turnbull, the well-known architect, has been selected to prepare a design for the building, which we may say, will fill the only gap that at present remains on the juay. In the third round of the handicap cness tournament Tuesday the following gaums were played in the third round with results ns -under : Ranhow won of Mclntyre, Wright won of Itdliind, Whittern won of Chubb, Collins won of Brandon, Wood wen of Campbell, Archer won of Bothamley, anti C. L, Barra nd won of fiearle. The result nf the match with Napier has not been formally declared ; hut ivo understand that it is abno-t certain that Napier will be declared the winner by two games, their other four games against HulletL Whittern, Wright, and Searln being considered too even for a winning advantage to be awarded to either side.

In mu! of tin <lry flutrict.H of Now Snull' WaleH (writeM “ aE.'lt'H " in tho Australasian) tlio h\:it : 3in of a baby wa« of neCTHsity poned on a Into nonunion, became tlp j rn was no water wherewith to perform the ceremony. This may appear extravagant, hub it is an unfact. Tho parents, the godfather*, and tlie godmothers were duly in attendance, iVith a Mfpiare black bottle of water from the Uluegmsa Creek. This precious Mnid was luffc iu the Church porch, and when tho christen* ing period in tho service arrived the water was sought, Alas ! Some thirsty soul, beguiled perhaps by tho Hfjnareness of the flask, had <lrawn tho cork, and the contents were missing. Tho christening had to he postponed, for th>*re wasn’t a wufcerholo within five miles of the church.

We have received the fifth annual report of tlio Wellington Ladies’ Christian Association, which includes the third report of the Home for’ Destitute and Friendless Women, and which was presented at the annual meeting held on the 13th April, 1833. The report of the former shows that, after paying all expenses, the Society has a balance in hand of £3 13s 3d. The report of tho Home for Destitute and Friendless Women, an institution which deserves universal support, and which is carried on entirely by ladies with the duties of secretary most ably performed by Mrs F. Greenwood, shows a credit balance of £260, after transferring £931 to the building fund. This is eminently satisfactory, and the Society has now established Itself in the new home at Newtown, which has been found a most suitable building. We trust that the Society will meet with success in the labor of love it undertakes.

A numerous and intelligent audience assembled on Tuesday in the Athenaeum Hall, to hear Sir William Fox lecture on “Egypt, Ancient and Modern,” Sir James Prendergast presided, and there were also on the platform Mr J. G. Holdsworth and the Rev. R. Bavin, the lecture being under the auspices of the Young Men’s Christian Association, The lecturer pleased the intelligent audience by the excellent manner of his address, an well as its interesting and graphic matter. He drew an instructive, and sometimes amusing, comparison between the Egyptians of ancient and biblical record, and the changed characteristics of the mixed people who occupy the Nile delta to day. At the close of the lecture Mr E. Baker moved, and Mr W. F. Kitchen seconded, a cordial vote of thanks, and in acknowledging it, Sir William Fox said there was one invention of the Egyptians which he forgot to mention—that was beer. (Laughter.) Having lectured on the early inventors of beer, he expected to lecture in the same hall this week on the consumers of beer. (Laughter.) On the motion of Mr Holdsworth, thanks were then accorded to the Chairman ; and the Chief Justice said, in responding, that it would not be easy to find in New Zealand so able and entertaining a lecturer as Sir William Fox. The Rev. Mr Bavin closed the meeting with prayer. The chess match, by telegraph, between the Wellington and Napier Clubs, was concluded on Saturday night, though only two nut of tho six garner were played out. Both of these two were won by Napier, Holland having lost to Wilson, and Didsbury to Hiudmarah, The other four--namely, those of Firani v. Hullett, Whittem v. Lessong, Wright v. Kiddle, and Scarle v, Dinwiddie—were unfinished at the hour for closing, 12 o’clock. They will, therefore, be adjudicated upon by the umpires, to decide which of the players had tho better game when time was called. Mr Benbow acta as umpire for Napier, and Mr Morton for Wellington. In case of their disagreement, it Is proposed that Mr Hookham, of Christchurch, shall be asked to act finally as referse. All the arrangements for telegraphing were excellent, and reflect the highest credit on the gentlemen connected with that department who officiated on the occasion of the match. In tho course of the evening, Mr Bcubow, of Wellington, p’ayed a game against Mr Lesaong, of Napier, and won it ; and Mr Hollaed played a game against Mr Wilson, which was unfinished, the combatants leaving off about even. A challenge lias been received from Christchurch to play a match by telegraph, but it is doubtful whether it ean come off, as the parliamentary session is about to commence, and it is unlikely tbs telegraph wires will be available. Perhaps such a match could be played after the session is over, as it would form an excellent chess event.

It is always a pleamro to glance through the annual report of the Wairarapa .Jockey Club, for Mr R. R. Armstrong divides with Mr Freeman R. .Jackson, of Wanganui, the ■undoubted honor of being the most attentive and bu-iness-like of secretaries ; indeed, neither of these gentlemen Would ever think of undertaking any public duty unless they felt satisfied that they could give a good account of themselves. We have before us the annual report of the Wairarapa Jockey Club, and from this we gather that the two race meetings on the Tauherenikau course have been more than ordinarily successful, although the most unfavorable weather had 'o be contended ai; dust at the spring meeting. The stakes at the spring meeting exceeded tiiose of the previous year by £(ls. The gross expenses -were .£271, and the receipts £202, leaving a loss of £l2. Iso Racing Club is desirous of shewing a large credit balance, and there being moreover no special member.’ subscriptions for this or the autumn meeting, tile r-suit must he looked upou as highly satisfactory, although there may he some who doubt whether it was wise to make such a very large increase in the stake'. The total receipts on account of the autumn meeting amounted to £633, anil the expenditure to £673, leaving a dehit balance of £4O, or of £53 for the year. The balancesheet will dispel many doubts an to whether the dub is in a flourishing position or not. The income was £ll3O, independent of a balance of £197 brought forward from the previous year, or an increase of very nearly £SOO in two years since Mr Armstrong took otlice. £93 has been spent in permanently improving the course. The present credit balance of the Club is £145. We donbt whether there is a

Racing Club in Now Zealand that can show more solid prepress. The half-yearly meeting 4>f the Club will be held at the White Hart Hotel on the 31st instant, when the report under notice will be presented. The following notices of motion will be brought up :—Mr B. Kimberley to move, “That any horse racing as a hack at tor having raced as a racehorse shall be for ever debarred from entering or racing for other than hack races where the rules of this Club are iu force.” Mr P. F. Tancrcd to move, “That rule 27 be amended to read as follows :—ln all handicaps when the highest weight accepting is under Sat 101 bit is to be raised to that weight, and the others in proportion.’’ Mr D. Donald to move, “ That in consequence of the Club during the last three years having foiled to attract as many of the public as from its financial position and influence it bad a right to expect, action should be immediately taken cither to make the picsent course accessible by rail, or to secure a course near the present railway line ou which to hold future meetings.

A very nice and enjoyable musical and literary entertainment was given at the Wellington Working Men's Club Tuesday evening, many of the members contributing thereto by songs, musical pieces, and readings. It is the first of a series to extend through the winter, on everv other Tuesday. Mr T, Miles was in the chair, and Messrs Cheeseman, Ryder, Nicholson, Watson, Moore, and others did their best to enliven the evening.

A petition has been filed by Mr Henry Thomson, settler, for dissolution of marriage with bis wife on account of her alleged adultery with Charles Powell Watts, stated to bo a runholder in the Wairaii district. There were three children of the marriage, Henry George Allen, Allan Portescue, and Gerald Sydney, who is since dead. The petitioner claims damages £IOOO. The case will be heard at the sitting of the Court on the 18th prnx. A painful accident, all but fatal in Its effect, occurred to a wharf laborer on Saturday, named JMward Arnold. He and others were working in the hold of the barque Rebecca Crowell, and while rernovingjiheavy case containing cartwheels, weighing 18cwt., it canted upon him with severe pressure, causing internal injuries, which render his recovery doubtful. He was conveyed to his homo in Boulcottstreet, and attended by Or. Gillon, who informed us on Sunday that partial feeling had returned, and that as the patient was progressing as well ai can be expected at his home, he will not be removed to the Hospital, An alarming accident happened in DixonHhreet Monday evening. Mr Miller occupies a two-storey building, the lower floor used as a coal-shed, with a largo storage room above. He had been getting in about 200 tons of sugar from the barque Onyx, and the men had just finished the day’s work when the upper floor crashed down on the coals, the weight of sugar having overstrained the building. The nm-e was heard in various parts <>* I' -•A ro soon after five o clock. two men had a narrow escape from being crushed under ill * falling floor. * The workmen bad to ?t-to again and sort out the sugar mats from tdw mix' d wreck igo, and were busy till late at night.

At a meeting of the Council of the Fine Arts Association, IHd on the 25th instant, it was decided to hold the Annual Exhibition towards the latter end of July. It is gratifying to learn that the Society has been offered the free use of a large and centrally-situated romn, admirably adapted for the purpose of an exhibition, by a gentEmau well known for ms liberal views on all matters connected with education. As the society is endeavoring to form the basis for a popular education in matters connected with art, it is to he hoped that this is an example which will be followed by others. In addition to the works of our local artists, we learn that a large number of paintings from artists in other parts of the colony, and amongst the number Mr Gully, of Nelson, will be exhibited. We have received from the Besiclent Secretary a copy of the report of tho Australian Mutual Provident Society, As showing that the Society does an enormous business, we quote tho following from the report The number of policies issued since the establishment of the Society to the 31sk December. ISS?, is .71,935, assuring £26.217,712, of which 21.223 have been discontinued, leaving 50,712 existing policies, a-suriog £18,586,091. The annual income from premiums amounts to £621,929 12s Id, and from interest to £263,565 13s Bd. making tae total annual revenue of the Society £333,495 5s 9d. The accumulated fund has been increased by £320,393 15s lid, and now amounts to ,£■l,3 19,58-1 Os lid. One of the most liberal gifts that has ever been made on behalf of any institution in this city was made by Mr George Bennett, an old and well known resident in Wellington Tuesday. Mr Bennett has offered to the Corporation r, site of three or four acres of land for an Old Man’s Horn'-, the land to be selected out of a block of about twenty acres ownod by him between tho present distributing basin and the main reservoir As the site is on the outskirts of the town, and within very easy reach, a formed road lending to it, there is little doubt but it will be approved of. The hearty thanks of the community are due to Mr Bennett for the manner in which he has solved a que-tiou which would otherwise have caused not a little trouble to the City Council as well as to a large number of citizens. Last week we had a visit from Mr Hart, photographer, of the well-known firm of Hart, Campbell, and Co., who has just come hack from a visit to Milford Sound, in the South Island, where he was photographing for two months. In the course of his business tour Mr Hart had an opportunity of seeing tho highest waterfall in the world, that of the Arthur Itiver, about thirty miles from the head of Milford Sound, called by the name of Southern’s Fall, from its first Mr Southern, It is said to be no less than 5/00ft high, and takes tho whole waters of the Arthur River with it, making one almost perpendicular leap of 3000 ft downwards at starting. It is only 20ft broad at the first point of its’ descent, and looks at a distance like a bright, broad thread of water. The source is apparently iu some large glacier among mountains over 9000 ft high. Even in dry weather it takes down five times as much water as the Bowen Falls in the same district do at any time. At a distance of three miles Mr Hart had to look upwards to see Southern’s Fall. He has taken a good negative, and expects his photograph will make a fine picture, A meeting of gentlemen interested in Lawn Tennis, met, according to advertisement, at the Chamber of Commerce last week, when it was decided to form a Lawn Tennis Asso-

ciation, and a committee consisting of Messrs Harcourt, Barron, Newman, H. Pollen, Bull, E, Collins, and St. Barba, was appointed to draw up rulers and suggestions for the approval of a meeting to bo held at an early date,— On the following Monday a meeting of the Provisional Committee was held to arrange the formationof aLawnTennia Association, and it was resolved to write to all the Clubs in the Wellington Provincial District, and request them to call a meeting of their members to a ■'certain if they would join an Association, the subscription to which was fixed at three guineas for Clubs numbering less than fifty members, and six guineas for Clubs with more than that number upon their books. _ It ia hardly necessary to add that the objects in view are to further generally the of the game, to arrange inter-club and champion matches, and also matches with Clubs in other parts of New Zealand. The growing importance of the game is a fact that cannot be hid. In this citv alone there are three Clubs, numbering amongst them 195 members, and there are some four other Clubs in various parts of the

province. We have received from Dr. Hector, Director of the Colonial Museum and Geological Survey of New Zealand, the seventeenth Annual Report of the Colonial Mu'cnm and laboratory, together with a list of donations and deposits during 1881-82. With regard to the Museum, the report states that the number of names entered in the visitors’ book during the year is 1 3,0" O (week days, 10,000; Sundays, 30001; but this gives no adequate idea of the number of persons visiting the institution, as eomoarative y few care to sign the register. Tho'usual average daily attendance is about 60 on week days, and 150 on Sundays. The additions lo the natural history collection have beeu extensive. Mr Cox, Assistant Geologist, has been examining the auriferous deposits at the Thames, and Mr McKay has been examin-

in<* the country between Motunau and Cheviot Hills. He lias discovered an outcrop of hematite, about 6ft wide, associated with the Triassic rocks of the coast range near Motunau, An analysis shows that this one is specially adapted for the manufacture of besmatite paint. Whilst at Rcefton he discovered heavy lodes of antimony in several of the auriferous claims from Kainy Creek to Boatman's. He also found tinstone in the auriferous cements at the head of Lankey’s Gully. In June last Mr McKay paid a visit to the Terawhiti reefs, and reports that the Albion claim possesses a reef of an average thickness of from ISiu to 2ft, which has been followed along its strike for a distance of 6 chains, and for a depth of 130 ft. S-!ine assays of quartz from this claim have yielded ov*tr 3oz gold per ton, but the specimens brought by Mr McKay gave only traces of the precious metal. Some new samples of coal, forwarded by Mr Gell, from Picton. was analysed, and the first sample yielded 63*21 of fixed caibou, and 31*06hydro-carbon. Copper ore, in the form of chrysocalla (hydrus silicate of copper) has been found in Paterson’s Inlet, Stewart’s Island. Of the mineral waters sent from the Rotorua district, an analysis shows that that styled Madame Rachel's Bath, at Wbangapipiro, yielded chloride of sodium (common salt) 69 43 grains per gallon. This water has been so styled from its effect in improving the complexion. Some bone dust from the establishment of Messrs Plimmer and Reeves, of Wellington, is reported of being of excellent quality for manure. An analysis showed that it comprised 57*59 per cent of phosphate of lime, with a small quantity of phosphate of magnesia. The total number of aual>ses made at the Museum Laboratory was 288, of which 13 were of samples of coal, 58 of minerals and rocks, 40 of metals and ores, 89 of gold and silver, 39 of 1 waters, and 44 of miscellaneous articles.

The Customs Revenues for the year ending 51st March last, amount to £1.496,942. The total for the last quarter is £377,767 as against £396,741 for the corresponding quarter of last year.

The Tirnara Herald thinks that “ Major Atkin»on is, politically, right in letting party politics alone. The plain truth is that party politics just now in New Zealand are an unmitigated piece of humbug.'’ The quantity of gold exported from New Zealand for the last quarter (ending March 31st), is 70,907 ounces, of the value of £233,797. The corresponding figures for the same quarter of last year being 73,309 ounces, v.tlue £291,962. By a Gazette Extraordinary, issued Monday it is announced that Parliament will meet for the despatch of business on the 14bh June. Already the Cabinet Ministers are converging towards Wellington. The Premier returned to this city on Sunday last, Mr Bryce on Tuesday, and Mr Rolleston the following day.

During the quarter ending 31st March la-t 4936 money orders were issued in the Wellington Postal District, amounting to £14,637, and 4408 were paid, amounting to £14,61 8. In the Post Office Savings Bank for the Wellington district, 717 new accounts were opened, and fi67 old ones closed. The deposits amounted £43,901, and the withdrawls to £50,242. Tlr; total amount of revenue collected at the Post ' ces throughout the colony fnr the quarter ei .mg 31st March was £39,32*2, as agiiust £74,672 for the same period of The Immigration Depot at Mount Cook was the point of attraction on Uutsday to a number of ladies who were in search of .-ervants. Of the number which was landed on Monday only fourteen were open for engagement, and for these there were forty-seven applications. In several instances the girls got the full benefit of the competition, as they were really placed in a position to make their own terms. By 11 o’clock ftll'had found places to suit them (the choice apparently reds with the the servants now-i-days). During the day seventeen applications for servants to anivc by the steamer lonic were booked. The “war cry” of the .Salvation Army will soon be ringing through the streets of Wellington. Indeed, we are to be subject to a sorb of military occupation for one year, as a penalty for over-much worldUness. The headquarters of these religio-militant campaigners is to be the theatre in 'lorystreet, the moat populous district in the city ; and it is there that the captains, and the corporals, and the hallelujah lasses will meet for regular drill, preparatory to making raids and forays among the peaceful people who are to be <s aalvationed ’’ by means of ranting excitement. Many new hats were won and lost in Wellington over the election of Mr Edward Shaw for Inangahua. New suits w**re cuously noticeable Wednesday in the city ; and the most plausible apology which the weaiors ; could offer was—“ These things—oh, well, they were won over Shaw’s return, you know.’’ One citizen was struggling Wednesday under a burden which, as Longfellow says, was u greater than he could bear ;* to wit, half-a dozm now hats—regular belltoppers—won on the strength of Mr Shaw's victory. That citizen said, in Dundreary's best style—

“No fellow can we—ar half-a-dothen hats, you know, unless he’th a lunatic. My bwother Tham, he’s a lunatic. I’ll leave them to him ath a legathy, eh I” Cur reporter suggested a more excellent way, which was that the lucky citizen should telescope his half-dozen new hats, and wear them all at once, ns a sort of election tiara—or, more correctly, as a sextara. That citizen rose to the occasion, and vowed that he would go in “lemons ” for the telescope style of headgear. An extraordinary creature (says the Australasian) was captured at Gong Gong a few days ago, which some people d j clare to be the original of the many “ bunyip” stories which every now and then crop up in different parts of the colony. It is about four feet in length, and bus four legs, webfooted, and a snout somewhat resembling that of a pig. It is covered with a coat of feathers, those in the tail being six or seven inches in length, hut getting shorter and finer as they grow along the hack towards the head, until they terminate on the shoulders and head in a kind of down, dark blue in color. The hinder part of the body is covered with scales similar to those of a fish, and the tail, which comes back over the hinder parts of the body, is divided into two parts, each part being about Sin long and din broad. The stranger has greenish eyes, and appears to be amphibious, ns it had just come out of a large dam near the railway line. The monster was disabled by a charge of shot, and the person who shot it advanced to despatch the thing, when it seized the stock of the gun and squealed like a pig. The skin has been carefully preserved. There must be some queer people in Gisborne if there be much truth in what the Standard relates, as follows “ There is a gentleman in Gisborne—or, at any rate, somewhat near this beautiful township—who was beguiled into selling a tea and coffee service, to be presented to a gentleman about to leave the district. The presentation was made, the tea and coffee service placed upon the table in the presence of the guests who were assembled to speed their parting friend. Speeches were made over these complimentary gifts, and all went merry as a marriage bell. The acknowledgment having been duly made, the service was returned to the vendor to be inscribed appropriately. He bad, however, never received a penny for his goods, and having once again obtained possession, he naturally retained them. His interests, he thought, would be better served by following up the old maxim, ‘ Let him keep who can,’ It now turns out that the departing guest has summoned the vendor for the value of the service, and the case is to be heard on Tuesday next, when some interesting raorceaux will be supplied to all who are fond of relishable news.”

A special meeting of shareholders in the Wellington Building Society, 1873, was held at the Chamber of Commerce last night week to consider a proposal to wind-up the Society. About thirty shareholders were present, and Mr T. McKenzie occupied the chair. Mr Kirkcaldie spoke at some length in favor of the winding-up, and said he had authority for stating that the Trust and Loan Company was willing to take over any mortgages at a lower rate of interest than was being paid at present. He did not think that their shares would be worth £6O by September, 1884, as calculated by the Directors, and attempted to show that they would receive nearly that amount by winding-up and transferring the remaining business to the Trust and Doan Company. He moved, “That, provided it can be legally done, the Wellington Building Society, 1873, be wound up, and that the last call be paid on the second Friday in September next, and that in the interim the Society take steps to realize on the mortgages.” Mr Edwards, solicitor to the Society, said that f rom a personal point of view ho would be a gainer by winding-up, as it would put business into his hands. They could not, however, terminate the Society without robbing realised shareholders. He also- pointed out that any resolution they might pass at that meeting would be illegal. After some argument for and against the proposal, in which Dr. Djver, the Chairman, and Messrs Waters, Bannister, Redman and others took part, the written opinion of Mr Travers was produced by a shareholder, which showed that the necessary steps

for wiuding-up had not been complied with. Mr Klrkcaldie, however, urged that bis resolution be put, and a show of hands was therefore taken, with the result that twentytwo were held up in its favor and seventeen against it. As a majority of two-thirds was required, the resolution was declared to have been lost. There was some conversation as to taking a poll, but nothing was done in the matter, and the meeting then terminated. A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Yacht Club was held at the Pier Hotel Wednesday. There was a large attendance, and a lively interest was taken in the proceeding*. Mr A. G. Johnson occupied the chair. Mr E. C. Batkin proposed, and Mr W. C. McDermott seconded, that those present form themselves into a Club, t) bo termed the Port Nicholson Yacht Club. The motion was agreed to. Mr Batkin further proposed, and Mr Roskrugo seconded, that Messrs Pope, Mee, McDermott, and the mover be a Committee to prepare a roll of members, and consider draft rules, the Committee to report in a week. This was also carried. Some cflscussion was caused by the question of subscriptions, but it was eventually resolved that the subscription of members be £1 Is per annum, and that the rates on yacht?, gear, &c., of which is housed in the Club’s shed, be as follows :—Five tons and under, 10s ; over five tons and under eight tons, 20s ; and over eight tons, 30s. Mr Burns attended, and submitted plans for a shed

which he proposed to erect, together with terms which he would be prepared to offer to the Club, hut nothing definite was done in the matter. Mr Pope having intimated that bis time was very much circumscribed, and that he could not, therefore, continue to perform the duties of Secretary, pro. tem., Mr W. C. McDermott was unanimously elected to fill the position. The names of twenty-eight gentlemen desirous of becoming members of the new Club were taken down before the meeting terminated.

At Kaiapoi, the other day, a Maori boy was publicly flogged for obtaining go()da_ by fals* pretences. The native constable inflicted the punishment. , , The Hon. Mr Bolleston made a definite promise to the deputation which interviewed him last week on the necessity of making a road nr keeping open a track to the goldfield at Terawhiti. The lengthy conversation was decidedly interesting, and practical results are likely to follow, as will be seen from the full report in this issue. From Napier it is reported that ducks were plentiful at the opening of ihe shooting season but pheasants seemed scarce, and very few were bagged. Two genthmen report that they were very successful with ducks, bagging 26 brace between them. Others were pretty ’fortunate also, while some unlucky wights returned home on the evening of the Ist without a feather. Mr S. Brown is making excellent progress with the erectir n of the Wellington Meat Export Company’s premises on the reclaimed land. The frame of the wooden portion of tie building is already up, and a considerable portion of the walls has also been packed with charcoal. The three boilers and heavy portions of the machinery are in situ, and the brick walls surrounding them are raised to a considerable height. The contract will no doubt be completed by the date agreed upon. 'The Government Gazette gives the following as the vital statistics of the principal towns or the colony for the month of April Auckland, deaths in 1000 of the population, D 2.3 ; Wellington, 1 "13 ; Christchurch, 133 ; Dunedin, T3O ; Thames, 1'36; New Plymouth, ]• 39 | Napier, 0 50 ; Wanganui, 0 20 ; Nelson, 1-00 ; Sydenham, 1*77 ; Lyttelton, 091 ; Tlmaru, (K‘2 ; Oirnaru, D 29 ; Hokitika, 0'39 ; Cavn-.-ham, 0 96 ; Invercargill, o'4l. Some a rnnsernent was caused in the District Court yesterday week, when no less than four gentlemen who had been called as jurymen answered to the name of Anderson, aod it further transpired that the names of ad the jurymen began with the first letter of the alphabet. According to the District Court Act, the Clerk of the Court must begin at the top of the alphabetical jury roll, and when it lias been exhausted, he can begin de novo. In Wellington, where juries are not very often required, this system is a hardship on gentlemen whose names stand high on the alphabetical list ; for it generally happens that when the A division has been got through, a new- roll is made out, and those who may Hatter themselves that their turn will not come again for some time are the very persons who are moat likely to be called upon once more at the next sitting of the Court. The Wanganui Herald writes ' The central railway route has now been examined by three surveyors, A very fair route has been found inland of Feilding, but it comes out at Bangitikei. Mr Annabel has traversed a route, which was first printed out by the late Mr •lames Hogg, by the valley of the Turakina Riyer. Mr Sicely has discovered a route from Marten superior to Mr Murray’s, and of which, we believe, the surveyor speaks very highly. There is no grade by this line worse than one in fifty. It is now certain that the main lice of railway through the centre of the island has no engineering difficulties in its way, and must prevail over the Beach or Mokau route, unless defeated by a political combination. We are always glad to publish instances of the great care that the Post Office takes in its business, and the following, which we take from the Wanganui Herald, is an instance of its success under difficulties:—“There have been some curiosities in the way of directed envelopes under onr notice, but we should not care to trace the history of one which we saw this morning. The vague ideas people at Home have of the geography of New Zealand will be seen from the address— 1 Messrs Donald Bros., Taupo Bay, Wellington,’ This letter started on its travels in September last from Loudon, and reached the intended recipient, Mr Donald Boss, of Taupo-qnay, yesterday. It is a picture iu more than one sense, color being distributed in graceful confusion over the surface, somewhere about seven or eight tints being employed iu official re-directions, and the number of amended addresses is something amusing. It appears to have had a most interesting journey, as, altogether, no less than 24 post-marks are to be found, irrespective of the ‘ returned-letter ’ marks.” Speaking of Hau-hauism lately at Napier, says the Poverty Bay Herald, the Yen. Archdeacon Williams, in a lengthy speech, gave many details of the position of Hau-hauism, with the object of showing that there was a decided reaction against the system, and a readiness and even anxiety on the part of the natives to have the pure Christian religion taught to them, some of these lace Hauhaus having even raised funds tor the endowment of native missionaries. There was a vast difference between the attitude of the natives a few years ago and now. Incidentally the Archdeacon mentioned that during the Te Kooti wars he found one of Te Kooli’s prayer-books in a whare recently vacated by him. This was couched in excellent language, and contained many prayers one to be said when loading tbeir guns. But there was one remarkable feature about all these prayers —the name of Christ was never mentioned. Hau-hauism, as had been said, was not so much a religion as a political system, and some of the Hau-hau tribes' had, since the war, modified the prayers so as to introduce the name of Christ into them. We are informed that important steps are being taken in connection with a private inquiry and survey for a middle route of the proposed railway to connect Wellington and Auckland. The Chamber of Commerce at its last meeting appointed a Sub-Committee to inquire aud ’report as to the best route for a main trunk liue through the North Island. The Sub-Committee met again yesterday, there being present Messrs Harcourt (President of the Chamber), Levin, George, T. K. Macdonald, and Nathan. Sir W. Fox attended by request, and gave valuable information as to the character of the country lying between Marton on this aide and the present Waikato terminus of the railway at Te Awamutu. He also expressed his views as to the practicability of carrying a line by that route and its suitability for European settlement. The Sub-Committee also received and considered a report made by surveyors as to the middle route referred to ; and we understand that the length was reported to be 170 miles, and the cost of construction was professionally estimated, to average the low rate of £SOOO per mile. This would give an approximate total of £850,000, being £150,000 less than the million voted by Parliament for completing the North I-land Trunk Bailway. The Sub-Com-mittee, before reporting in detail to the Chamber, have decided to obtain further specific information. John Chinaman’s ghost appeared before the City Fathers last week, while in conclave assembled. The heathen apparition came from the Morgue, where the body of Lee Chow lay encoffined, awaiting transport to a silent spot in his far-off Flowery Land. The ghostly message was a sepulchral request for the City Council to permit Lee Chow to continue a silent tenant of the Morgue until he could join other dead companions in a voyage to China. When these ghostly pilgrims were to sail was not stated. The reading of this application sent a cold shiver through the Council. The lights burnt blue. A dead silence followed. Then a hollow voice in the stillness said, “ Will the body keep 1” The Mayor ; “ Keep as well as dead meat it the coffin is sealed up.” Another hollow voice :It might be in the Morgue a month ; better bury it.” Councillor Allen moved, with a deathly smile, that the request be not granted. Seconded and carried, only one medical Councillor voting for the dead Chinaman to continue his sleep in the Morgue. But the heathen ghost was not yet exorcised, for it flitted back to the Council Chambers just as the fathers rose to seik their hats. A live Chinaman, who accompanied the ghost, now whispered a message which reached the Mayor, who rose and said that Lee Chow’s body would not lie in the Morgue more than three days, if the Council would let him remain in undisturbed occupation and enjoyment of that ghastly tenement till the ether dead Chinamen came into harbor. The body was comfortably embalmed. Councillors smoie a ghastly smile, and said, “ Let him alone for three days.” The Mayor said “ Amen.”

The natives of the Flowery Land residing in this city disposed of the body of their countryman, which formed the subject of a discussion at the last meeting of the City Council, by sending it to Dunedin by the Mabinapua. They formed in procession, and solemnly committed it to the hold of the steamer, a number of them distributing presents on the way to persons who appeared to be in indigent circumstances. In the coffin, we are told, there were 'placed two bottles of brandy, a pair of socks with the tops cnt eff, so that they might be put on without difficulty, a hat with the leather cut out, two boxes of cigars, and fifty sovereigns. Whether it is expected that the deceased heathen will pay his passage home from Dunedin, or whether the supplies which were put in are intended to defray expenses which might be incurred after the funeral in China, we have been unable to ascertain, but we venture to predict that the brandy, as well as the money, will be exhausted before six months have expired.