Simply of the atoms of a body) yet those^lrtides wo not able to change that position timlly and go and take up another position, as in gases and liquids. But when a certain amount of heat is applied, the cohesion of particles is over come, and they move as in a liquid state. Now it will, I think,be seen that whenjieat is applied under circumstances of great pres sure the pressure tends to prevent the free action of particles in that wavy movement which characterizes the particles of a liquid simply for the want of room to move. The greater the pressuse, the greater must be the heat before a body can become molten. Thus, sulphur, for example, has its fusing point raised from 237 deg. Fah., at the ordinary atmos pheric pressure, to 285 deg. at 519 atmospheres (an atmosphere is 16 pounds to the square inch); and zinc heated 1 deg. C. occupies more bulk by one thousandth part of its original bulk; while glass is increased by a four thousandth of its bulk Now, it is held that the pressure of su perincumbent matter upon the centoe of the earth is so immense that it presses upon the ultimate particles and forces them together, and, overcoming the ten dency of heat to liquify, holds them as rigid as a solid body. How great this pressure is at the centre of the earth may be gathered from Professor Leslie's state ment, “ That at a depth of 34 miles, air would be as heavy as water ; and water at 362 miles as heavy as mercury.” The astounding statement has also been made that at the centre of the earth cold steel would be compressed by this immense pressure into a fourth of its bulk, and ordinary stone into one eighth. Under the heading “The Earth’s Density,” Sydney B. J. Skertchley makes the following calculation, which bears somewhat upon this subject of pressure : “Water is one of the most incompressible of substances, and was, indeed, for a long time deemed to be absolutely rigid. Re fined experiments have shown, however, that the pressure of an atmosphere reduces the bulk of sea-water one 44- millionth. Now a column of water 32ft. high and of one inch sectional area, weighs 16 pounds. Suppose the earth to be made of sea-water, having the ordinary density at the surface, which density we will call 1. Taking the earths radius at 4,000 miles we have 660,000 atmospheres at the centre. The water at the centre will consequently be compressed into (660,000 x 0 000044, 29-040) one twenty ninth of its bulk at the sur face. . . Or to vary this illustration : If we take the area of the ocean at 146,000,000 square miles, and the mean depth at 2 miles, it could be poured into a cavity 2\ miles square, reaching from the surface to the centre of the globe.” I think I have said enough to show that pressure of superincumbent raatteris, at the the centre of the earth, immense ; and may account for the -earth, in its obedience to the laws of gravitation, showing signs of being rigid to the centre, but I must defer this aspect of the question until my next.

THE RACE COURSE.

Notwitstanding a bad season last year, progrostications of no money for racing this year, and a feelingof doubt among the Racing Club members that if a meeting were held, they would have to do as the old committee did years ago here—adver tise large stakes and then pay nobody— the meeting was an unqualified success. The sneers of some, and the impecuniosity of others, did not effect the question of the races, being held, nor the ability of the ' stewards to pay ; for although in some cases the fields were not large, the quality of the sport was better than that usually seen at more important meetings, and, what is more, the Com mittee will have, after paying 411 their ' liabilities, fully a hundred pounds to their credit. As the Committee have so far disappointed those who predicted a “ miserable failure” for the Spring meet ing, it is probable that the Caledonian Society will also “ disappoint the same public spirited individuals. It is now • settled that the sports will be held on the racecourse and it is probable that the Bacing Club and the Caledonian Society will come to some understaning, so as to hold the ground jointly, and be thus en abled to devote alarger sum towards perma nent improvements. It is to be hoped that this desirable amalgamation will take place, and we should like to see another body join the proposed partnership—the Agri cultural and pastoral association. As the ground, held by the Racing Club is of sufficient area to accommodate all the societies, being 146 acres in extent, we feel confident that if an agreement can be arranged between tha three bodies, a really grand public park and pleasure-ground will be made in a very few years ; and when a belt of trees is planted, the present dreary expanse of tussock will assume a a, more verdant and arborial appearance.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. ' TO THE EdITOK. gnt —The matter of which I write is of such public importance as to require no apology for asking your permission to ventilate it in the columns of your journal. I have often wondered at the long silence respecting the Borough bye-laws, and whether, on account of their inoperative character, the private and public wrongs I wish to allude to are prevalent. It may be a comparatively small annoy ance that cattle keepers can coolly allow their cows, &c., to thrive at the expense of their neighbor’s hedges and plants, or let their horses’ tether stretch right across the street to the danger of the pedestrian after dark; but when men and women cannot pass along a public street in broad daylight, or night either, without being Jostled, rudely stared at, made the subject of impertinent remarks, and sickened by tlni filthy fumes of drink and tobacco smoke, and the belchings of the nasty stomachs of a crowd of idlers who coolly monopolise the pathway —a glaring public wrong is committed, for which somebody is to blame. It is not long since that a woman had to push her way through such a crowd in yw. street, and, as she did so, a filthy fellow spat upon her dress, and gave a glance at his comrades, intimating he had , done that which was worthy of their ap proval. Only this morning, a gentleman Informed me, it was pot without an impro

per amount of trouble he had to make his way through such a mob ; and I saw some females who had to turn into the middle of the street and risk themselves among the horses and conveyances which were getting off for the racecourse, because they could not face the crowd without great annoyance. Even the presence of three policemen did not move that blockade of men. I thought surely the men in blue, are powerless in the mat ter because of the absence of the bye-laws, or they would not allow such a gathering. And it is to be noted that only institu tions, and sports, and associations of a certain kind, attract and shelter nuisances of such a character ; and that some men whose education and standing in society bespeak for them at least a proper self respect, show they have it not, by the various ways in which they countenance the moral degradation of the town in which they live. Feeling that it is the duty of every resident to seek the good of the town in which he lives, though not by trespassing on the rights of others, 1 write, and am, &c., W. Kkall. Ashburton, 20th Nov., 1879.

THE EARTH’S INTERNAL HEAT. To the Editor. I must ask permission to say a few words in reply to Mr. Oliver’s letter of Nov. 10, as he makes the great mistake of putting into my first letter words that do not occur therein. Mr. Oliver makes me say that “at 100 feet from the surface we find the mean temperature of the earth. What I said was that at 100 feet from the surface “the temperature is about (mark the qualifying preposition) that of the mean annual temperature of the lo cality.” When I mentioned thatroundnum ber I was only following the example of many eminent men of science. In fact, it is so far recognised that scientific travellers ob tain, by boring, the temperature at 100 feet and consider that they have at once the mean annual temperature of the localty. Until this principle was recog nised the mean annual could only be ob tained by at least, a year’s careful and frequent observation. And then I fail to see any point in that part of Mr. Oliver’s letter where he ex presses “ strongest doubts as to the uni formity of that heat, at the same level, all the world over ; ” when, in the very letter Mr. Oliver is criticising, I remarked, “It is found that the nature of the rock, the dip of the strata, the quantity of contained water and other circumstances will con siderably modify the temperature of the rocks in the same locality.’ 4 Mr Oliver contends for the correctness of the registration of. temperature in the Afa.gdn.la. mine. Let it be conceded that these measurements were made with absolute accuracy, yet surely Mr Oliver will not contend that it was an expert in science who would think to modify his views of the earth’s heat because in his measurements in the surface office and at the bottom of the mine he discovered a discrepancy when the result was compared with the commonly received rate of incre ment. I would again point out that it is not tjxe temperature of the atmosphere in the mine, but of the rocks, which should be measured, to obtain data for such calcu lations. Regarding Mr. Oliver’s frying pan theory, I shall have to refer to the temperature of the ocean in some of the papers I have yet to send you. I have only noticed Mr. Oliver’s letter from a desire to be courteous to one who differs from me in opinion ; but, as I shall, in any letters, upon scientific sub jects, that I may send you, be only giving the result of my readings and thoughts in spare moments and when travelling, I must state that I have not sufficient time at my disposal to reply to correspondents who may deem it advisable to animadvert upon my humble endeavor to give the readers of your valuable journal the result of my desultory reading. With this understanding, and with the knowledge that many of your country readers have not time to read—or indeed, in many cases money to buy—-costly scientific books and reviews, I shall be pleased to sometimes send you a few lines. 1 can heartily join Mr. Oliver in his ex pression of the esteem in which your ex cellent paper is held. 1 am, &c., B. J. Wbstbbookb.

A Tip for Protectionists and Workmen.

The Toronto “ Globe ” states some plain facts showing how the introduction of e protective tariff in Canada has brought down the rates of wages : —“ The latest reductions have been made by the Canada South Railway Company. Not only has the Company lowered the pay of its employees 10 per cent., but the work ing staff has also been considerably re duced. The manager has stated that the reduction of expenses in this way has been rendered necessary by the increased cost of running since the introduction of the protective policy. Coal costs the Com pany 50 cents per ton more than it ough to cost, iron is taxed from 17i to 36 per cent., locomotives and cars pay 25 per cent., bridges 25 per cent., and hardware 30 per cent. On the other hand the receipts have been dimin ished by the same cause. The increased cost of living tends to lessen the passenger traffic, and, according to the returns of the port of Montreal, the shipments of grain have fallen off, the quantity exported from January 1 to May 14 this year being 1,473,700 bushels, against 1,898,830 bushels during the corresponding period of last year—a decrease of nearly 24 percent. Meanwhile, as the working man’s wages are reduced, his expenses are increased. Flour, which three months ago cost him S.GOdol per barrel wholesale, now costs him 4.15d01.; sugar is 1 cent, per lb. dearer ; oatmeal has gone up 15 per cent.; bacon is 10 per cent, dearer, and beef is also higher. Clothing has likewise ad vanced in price.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, Nov. 19. A large amount of general business was done by 'he Council to-claj', but none was of great interest. Among the notices of motion was one by the Hon. Mr. Chamberlain to abolish all the fencing laws of the colony, and one by the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse— “ That in view of the likelihood of much increased taxation, there should be new facilities afforded for appeals against one’s valuation. ”

Sir F. D. Bell asked the Attorney- General whether the attention of Go vernment had been called to a letter from the Agent-General in the “ Times ” Sept. 26, respecting his position a Director of the New Zealand Agricultural Com pany, and whether there is any ob jection to inform Parliament of the cir cumstances which may have justified Sir Julius Vogel in publicly declaring that he had the authority of three Ministers for assisting in organising that Company. The Hon. F. A- Whitaker said that Government had sent a telegram asking Sir Julius Vogel for an explanation of the point. He would lay the answer on the table.

There was a long discussion on the position of the Otago University Bill, but nothing eventuated. The Council carried the following motion —“ It is desirable that Govern ment should take into consideration the present tariff of charges on the railway, so as to make the working of the several lines realise a fair profit, or at least con tribute their full share of receipts in aid of the revenues of the colony.” The following were read a third time ; —Building Societies’ Act Amendment Bill, Triennial Parliaments’ Bill. The Council rose at 5 o’clock.

Thursday, Nov. 20. In the Council, after a large amount of small formal business, Colonel Brett with drew his motion relative to the Armed Constabulary Force on the West Coast. The Animals Act Protection Amend ment Bill, District Courts Act Amend ment Bill, Timaru Waterworks Bill, and Hamilton Volunteer Hall Site Bill, were read a first time.

On the Hon. O. M. Waterhouse’s motion for better facilities to appeal against the over valuation of taxed pro perty, there was a long debate, during which many alleged acts of injustice under the Land Tax Act were mentioned. The Hon. F. A. Whitaker accepted the motion, and mentioned that the Govern ment would do its utmost to make the taxes be felt as easily as possible. The motion was carried.

A great part of the sitting was occupied in Committe on a number of small Bills, and the Council adjourned at 5 p. m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, Nov. 19. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.20 p.m. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. Pyke gave notice that he would move—“ That this House will not consent to the abolition of local subsidies until adequate provision has been made for carrying on local works.” Replying to Mr. Gisborne, The Hon. J. Bryce said that Govern ment was afraid it was too late in the session to bring in a Bill to amend the existing land purchase system. The Hon. W. Gisborne asked the Colonial Treasurer to what specific Ameri can Act he referred, when in his Finan cial Statement he asked the House to impose a property tax upon the American model ?

Major Atkinson replied, to the New York Statutes for the year 1859. Replying to Mr. Kelly, Mr. Bryce said that a return had been laid on the table showing the blocks-of Native land purchased from the Natives in the North Island since 1870, indicating their position, acreage, and cost; also, a return and map showing the blocks of Native land for which negotiations have been entered into, showing the position, acreage, and price per acre agreed on. Mr. Shanks asked what steps Govern ment intended to take with the view of supplying the Volunteer Artillery Bat teries with the proper complement of field guns, and whether a sum would be placed upon the estimates this session for procuring the necessary guns; also, if Government propose to make any increase on the capitation at present paid to Artillery Corps, and if so, to what extent. The Hon. J. Hall replied that Govern ment had the matter under consideration, and hoped to be able to make some effectual provision. Government recog nised the importance of increasing the capitation paid, biit in the present finan cial state of the Colony, no increase could be made. CUSTOMS RETURNS. On'the motion of Mr. George, Govern ment agreed to produce a return in a tabulated form showing the value of the duty paid to the Customs on spirits, tea, and sugar which had been cleared from the various bonds in the Colony for the respective weeks ending Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1,8, and 15 ; and also value of the duty paid on the above named articles for the corresponding period of the year 1878. THAMEB-WAIKATO RAILWAY. Mr. Murray moved —“ That the Law Officers of Government be instructed to prepare and submit a case to the Judges to decide as to the legality or otherwise of certain expenditure by Government upon railway and reclamation works at Grahams town, and between Grahamstown and Te Aroha, ” Mr. Macandrew suggested that the mo tion should be withdrawn. It would open a party question, and lead to endless dis cussion. The Hon. J. Hall thought the motion would not bear any practical result. At the same time he did not think it would lead to any party question. Mr. Murray withdrew the motion which was agreed to. PUBLIC WORKS IN AUCKLAND. Mr. Whitaker moved —“That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself into Committee of the whole, to consider a respectful address to be presented to His Excellency the Governor, praying that he will cause the sum of £200,000 to be placed upon the Estimates as a grant to the Provincial District of Auckland, for the formation of roads and bridges. ”

Mr. Murray moved the adjournment o tile debate.

The House divided, with the result, Ayes !!j, Noes 20. The motion for the adjournment was carried.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.80. NATIVE MATTERS.

The interrupted debate was resumed on the question that there be laid before the House a return of all persons who have been employed since Jan. 1, 1870, on matters concerned with the purchase of Native lands or any other Native matters, whose salaries have not been voted by the House, showing the amount of salary or allowance paid each ollicer since that date, the amount now due to each, and whether payments have been made out of loan or general revenue. The motion was put and carried. PAYMENT TO MR. REES. Mr. Sutton moved —“ That there be laid before the House (1) a copy of the voucher for £4OO, or thereabouts, paid Mr. W. L.lßees in July or August last, on account of legal advice on some matters on the West Coast. (2) A copy of any correspondence that may have taken place between Mr. Rees and the Government in reference to any legal opinion supplied to the Government. ”

Mr. Kelly argued that the question in volved the application of the Disqualifica tion Act —Mr. Rees, at the time the pay ment was made, having been a member of the House.

Mr. Sheehan said that when the money was paid, Mr. Rees had ceased to be a member of the House.

The Hon. J. Bryce said that so far as he knew, Mr. Rees had not supplied Govern ment with a legal opinion, and no corres pondenco had taken place such as that re ferred to.

The previous question was put, and carried on the voices. THE MARQUIS OF NORMANBY AND THE HXNEMOA.

Mr. M'Lean moved—“ That a respect ful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor, praying that he will cause to be laid before the House all corres pondence detween the Marquis of Nor manby and the Premier, relative to the refusal to grant the use of the Hinemoa to convey his Excellency and family to Melbourne, together with copies of all enclosures therein.” The motion was carried. SALB OF LAND ON DEFERRED PAYMENTS.

Mr Ormond moved for a return of all lands disposed of on deferred payments in each provincial district since the passing of the Land Act, 1877, such return to specify the acreage of each selection, the price paid, and where situate ; also, what expenditure has been incurred, if any, in opening such lands for occupation. The motion was carried. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

The House went into Committee on a message from the Governor, recommend ing that payment of members’ expenses be provided for by statute. The recommendation was adopted, and on resuming, a Bill to that effect was in troduced, providing for the payment of members on the scale at present in force. NEW COUNTY OF TIMARU. The adjourned debate on the proposed new County of Timaru was resumed. The Hon. J. Hall moved —“That the proposed County should not come into operation until the close of next session. ” On a division, the amendment was carried—Ayec, 44 ; Noes, 25. Mr. Tamoana drew the attention of the Government to an epidemic raging in his district, and hoped that something would be done for its abatement.

The Hon. J. Bryce promised that en quiries would be made for that purpose. The Licensing Further Amendment Bill (No. 2) was further considered in Com mittee.

After a short discussion, a motion “That progress be reported and leave granted to sit again,” was carried. The District Courts Act, 1858, Amend ment Bill was further considered in Com mittee. The Bill was passed with amend ments, and on being reported was read a third time and passed.

Wellington, Nov. 20. In the House early this morning the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill was shelved in Committee by 22 to 25. Pro gress was reported without leave being asked to sit again.

Thursday, Nov. 20. • AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30. notice of motion. 'Mr. Reeves gave notice that he would ask Government to take steps for ex tinguishing a fire which had been burning for some time at Port Elizabeth on the West Coast. QUESTIONS. Mr Stewart asked if Government would state the area of land belonging to Govern ment at Addington, from whom purchased, the amount and date of purchase, and through whom the purchase was affected, the estimated cost of Addington work shops, stating separately the amount in curred in levelling and forming the land, the expense of the buildings, machinery, Ac., the value of the available plant be longing to old workshops, the value of rolling-stock ordered last financial year, and whether such orders were provided for in last year’s appropriations ; from what countries such rolling-stock was obtained, and where manufactured 1 The Hon. R. Oliver said the estimated cost of the levelling and forming the ground was £250, aiding £275, buildings £II,BOO, drainage £4530, estimated value of machinery and plant in the old shop £3075, of new machinery ordered £9778 The area of land was 25 acres 2 roods 6 perches, and cost £8545 13s 4d. There was also 1 acre 1 rood 25 perches, the price of which was not agreed upon. The land was acquired by the late Provincial Government of Canterbury. Six acres cost £1575. The original cost for forming the ground and erecting buildings at Addington was £53,470 ss. No estimate had been received of the cost of machinery nor the value of available plant belonging to the old shop. Including the order sent Home on June 22, 1878, the value of rolling-stock and machinery ordered last year, for working the railways in Canter bury and Otago, was about £270,000. The amount of additional rolling stock on the Estimates was £21,000. , Six locomotives, ten carriages, and all the workshop machinery had been ordered in America, the remainder in England. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time :—Registration of dogs, Canterbury Rivers Act, 1870, Amendment, Municipal

Corporation!;’ Act, _IS7O, Anmndment, Maori Members’ Election 'Validation, Counties’ Act Amendment Act, 1877 Amendment, Forest Trees’ Planting En couragement Act, 1871, Amendment. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Prevention of Corruption Bill. The Hon J. Hall said that, while ho would not oppose the motion; he did not think the Bill was required. In Com mittee he would move an amendment.

The motion was put, and carried on the voices. NATIVE INDUSTRIES. The question that in the opinion of tl e House, His Excellency should be moved to issue a Commission to take evidence at the principal commercial centres of New Zealand, and to report on the operation of the present tariff, with a view to such a re-adjustment of the Customs duties as may be considered best calculated to foster the various branches of industry in the colony, was put to the vote, and negatived on the voices. ENDOWMENT SCHOOLS. On the motion for going into Com mittee on the Wanganui Endowment Schools, a lengthened discussion arose. The opposition shown to the measure was founded on the fact that, the trust in this as well as many other similar cases had been abused, and that, therefore, the measure should be dropped, and a more comprehensive one brought in, dealing with the whole subject of these trusts. Mr. Montgomery pointed out that it cost £35 per head for educating children in this school, and that this was an abuse of the trust, which expressly stipulated that the endowment was granted for the education of poor and orphan children re siding in the district. The Bill required amendment, still, it should not be thrown out, and for that reason lie would support the motion for going into Committee. Mr. Ballance said that the whole object of the Bill was to get the trust placed on a proper footing. The House divided—Ayes, 37 ; Noes, 25. The motion was carried.

In Committee, Mr. Hamlin moved — “That progress be reported, and leave asked to sit again.” On division, the Ayes were 25, Noes, 31. The Bill was contested by a division being called on for each clause, and even tually it was agreed to pass the first three clauses. Progress was then reported, and leave asked to sit again presently. MISCELLANEOUS. The Union Company Act 1872 Amend ment Bill, and the Mines’ Act 1877 Amendment, were reported, and the for mer read a third time and passed.

The House then went into Committee on the Wanganui Endowment School, but the opposition was again repeated. The House sat till 4.30 in Committee on the Wanganui Endowed Schools Bill, which was then reported with amend ments. * Per our Special Wire. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, Nov. 21. In the Council to-day, Mr Whitaker stated, in reference to a motion re harbor defence, that the Minis try had been written to by Col. Scratchley, who would visit the colony in January After he had inspected the harbors and reported, the Government would be en abled to state his views on the subject. The Oamaru Harbor Land Bill was read a second time and passed. The Native Expenditure Investigation Committee obtained an extension of time till 3rd December, to bring up their re port. The greater part of the afternoon was spent in debating the Qualification of Electors Bill, and when the Council rose at 5, the Hons. Mr. Whitaker, Bell, Whitmore, P. Buckland, Fiaser, Grace, Pharazyn, Ngatahe, Reynolds, Taiama, Waterhouse, Wilson, and Wood had spoken, all very shortly, and generally in favor of the Bill. The arguments used, however, on the other side were chiefly repetitions of those brought forward in the Lower House.

At 5 o’clock the Council adjourned till 7.30. EVENING SITTING. The Qualifications Bill passed the se cond reading on the voices. The Miners’ Rights Fees Reduction Bill was thrown out by 24 to 10. The Council adjourned at 10 o’clock. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, November 21. The House sat till 5.30 this morning, in Committee on the Wanganui Schools En dowment Bill, and the Auckland Im provement Commission Bill. A deter mined opposition was offered to both, and progress at length had to be reported. The House then adjourned till 7.30. EVENING SITTING. Friday, Nov. 21. The House met at 7.30. Mr. Pyke, in Committee, said that in Vincent County arrangements have been made to extend expenditure over a period of years. At present the County was committed to contracts amounting to £30,000; and, if the subsidies were dis continued, where was the guarantee these contracts would be provided for. The Act provided tnat these subsidies were to ex tend over a period of 5 years, and on that understanding heavy obligations had been contracted for. The proposal for dis continuance was equivalent to a proposal of repudiation on the part of Government. Considering the part taken by the Treasurer in bringing the Counties Act into force, he ought to have been the last to make such a proposal as one for discontinuation. The virtue of the Counties Act was that it left district works to be dealt with by localities, and did not trouble Parliament with such matters. But this proposal was practically stultifying that virtue. Subsi dies were not the best way to provide for the wants of counties. A better mode would be set aside the land fund for the purpose. He thought some provision would have been made, he urged the House to insist on a definite assurance being given. He blamed the Treasurer for his attempt to discontinue the subsi dies without giving counties the slightest notice of his intention. Counties should have had at least twelve months notice of the proposal. He denied the right of Government to take the land fund and appropriate it as consolidated revenue fund. It should be applied for improve ments in counties, and to the other

Sir George Gray defended the Into Go vernment for having appropriated the Land Fund for purposes of revenue. Go vernment did not sell the land in the. pr - per sense of the word “sale.” They tax purchasers and resume possession thereof on paying a reasonable compensa tion. All that, it showed was t’ ! parting with the land they did it acced ing to the usual acceptation of the word. They only settled population upon it, a population for which the means of bear ing the burdens of the State ought to be provided. Mr. Stewart moved as a further amend ment to the effect that the House, con sidering the circumstances under which Government took office, refuses to grant supplies until Government gave a distinct pledge that they will during present session bring down a Representation of Seats Bill. He argued that the Regula tion of Elections Bill, passed by the House without a redistribution measure, placed the colony in a more illiberal con dition than it had previously been. The amendment was lost on the voices. The motion for going into Committee of Supply was then put and carried. THE ESTIMATES. The Estimates were brought on for con sideration. On the first item being put, Mr. Mont gomery moved that progress be reported. If it was intended to pass the Estimates just now, with the meagre information they had, it would, he thought, be shown when the Public Works and other state ments came down, that it would be neces sary to very considerably cut down these Estimates. They had other important business to go on with, so the time would be thrown away.

Mr. Shepherd pointed out that the sala ries proposed in the postal department were in excess of those paid last year. In the present state of the finances he thought it was a mistake.

The Hon. John Hall replied, and in doing so pointed out that the work had increased very considerably, and it was only fair that increased remuneration should be paid. Mr. J. T. Fisher said the increase had been proposed by the late Government, and was one which, considering the im portance of the department was both fair and reasonable. Mr. Ballanco denied that these were Estimates prepared by late Government. If he was rightly informed, the Estimates now submitted had been carefully con cealed in the Cabinet. They were only departmental, and no attempt had been made to ascertain how far they fitted in with the general finance of the colony. The increase in this one debt was £36,000. In the fact of that proposal they found that there was only an increase of £4OOO, so that in reality they proposed a net loss to the revenue of £33,000 —a proposal of that kind could only be justified by most exceptional circumstances, and no such circumstances had been shown. In that case he would support the views of Mr. Montgomery—that consideration of the Estimates should be postponed till they had detailed particulars of the finan cial proposals before them. He had been told the Land and Property Tax Bill was prepared. Why was it kept back ?It was absolutely necessary they should have that measure before taking up Estimates. Mr. Turnbull said he would feel it his duty to propose a reduction in the salaries. The proposals before them shewed that, there was paid, or proposed to be paid, in salaries over £2OO per annum, the amount of £40,000. The time had now come when it would be necessary to cut down all departmental salaries, from the highest down to the very lowest. Meantime it would be much more advisable to adopt a motion for postponement till the financial proposals were before them. The Educa tional department was another department that would have to be cut down. It was impossible the colony could go on paying these large sums year after year. Mr. Speight spoke in support of the amendment for postponement, Mr. Swanson thought the Estimates might very well be reduced by £50,000. He was on a Committee that day at which an exposure of the rotten state of the pub lic service took place. It was shown that a number of highly paid civil servants were not only useless but absolutely mis chevous. He warned new members from past experience, that there was not the slightest possibility of making any Minis terial reductions, unless the Estimates were sent back for reconsideration by Go vernment.

Mr. Hall said it was the extravagant demands of the public which necessiated the larger civil service complained of A post office was demanded here, tele graph office there, and so on. That was how the service became fo large. It was not the doing of Ministers, and it was a thing for which the extravagant demands of the public were solely responsible. Mr. Adams was inclined to support the proposal that Government should take back the estimates, and make consider able reductions.

Mr. Hutchinson submitted they might fairly increase salaries paid, and reduce the number of employees. There were hosts of R.M.’s for example a great deal of whose work might be under taken by J.P.’s. There was a Govern ment official for every nineteen of the population. He supported the amend ment.

[The debate had not ended when our message left at one o’clock.]

Still-Born.

There’s a wee lammie lyin’ In our fauld sleepin’, A bonnie lifeless lamb, But its soul is in guid keepin’. It never saw the licht O’ this weary warl’ wc live in ; It cam’ to gie relief, An’ gaed back again to heaven. There's a lamb-bereaved sheep In oor fauld sighin’; Oh, lovin’ Father keep Oor hearts frae envyiu’ The dear kind shepherd o’ What he thochtna fit to gie us ; It is better wi’ Himsel’ Than it ever could be wi’ us. We hae four lammies still, God will forhame prepare them ; He never sends us trials, But sends us strength to bear them. He loves the mither sheep, Will to health again restore her : An’ through a’ her journey here, Bo o’ love the banner o’er her. Geokge Watson.

Fasting Forty Days.

The “Reading (P.) Record” says:— ".iss Sadie Root’s attempted fast of 40 days and her absolute refusal to partake of any food or water, has attracted univer w' n Mention in this section of Pennsyl vania, aini the inusl reputable physicians •)f this city pronounce it certainly one of r.he most extraordinary cases on record. Miss Root is about 28 years of age, and resides with her widowed mother at No. 314, South Sixth street, Reading. Her two sisters are fashionable mantua makers, and Miss Xallie at times was em ployed at the establishment. Her father and mother were of sound mind and of excellent standing, and, until the present alarming state of affairs, nothing of moment ever occurred in their household. About one year ago, it was observed that the nature of Miss Root had undergone a considerable change. She had lost her buoyancy and much of her cheerfulness. Her step was not so elastic and her car riage not erect as it had been before she suddenly became very devout. She had at times been an attendant at church and Sunday school, but never manifested a more than ordinary interest in religions affairs. She was a member of the St. James’s Lutheran congregation, worship ing in one of the leading churches of Read ing, and the Rev. Dr. Shmucker was her pastor. Miss Root became very ardent in church affairs, and took a deep interest in the Sunday school. She not only attended hea own church, but went wherever,she could hear pre&ching when her own church was closed. About the sth of last month the idea took possession of her to fast 40 days. She became deeply in terested in the subject of fasting, and she read of Christ’s fast of 40 days in the wilderness with considerable interest. She then became possessed with the idea that to become more like Christ she too must fast for the same length of time. The first week after the 4th of July she ate no thing but a few berries and a cracker or two. The week following her mother in formed the, family physician that Miss Sallie had eaten absolutely nothing and that she had not swallowed a drop of water. Mrs. Root and her other daughters became alarmed, and endeavored to pur suade Sallie to cease her imitation “ of the fast of our blessed Lord. ” She paid no heed whatever to their protests. Through out all the heated term they positively aver that she drank no water at all. The bright sparkle left her eyes, and the roses faded from her cheeks. She became pale and thin, and she remained indoors en tirely. Her ablutions were very frequent. As many as a dozen basins of water would be used by her in simply bathing her hands. First she would fill a basin with pure water and wash her hands ; and then she would empty the basin and fill it again and wash her hands as before. This she continued as often as 10 or 12 times in succession. It was her belief that she must do this to be clean and pure. Her bathing of the body was also frequent. On the 17th .of July her condition became alarming. Her tongue was heavily coated, her skin parched and dry, and her flesh fast wasting away. Dr. Shmucker, the family physician, was called in for the first time, when Miss Root became very indignant, and said she had no need for his services. She was not confined to her room, but walked slowly about the lower part of the house. She turned her back upon the doctor and requested him to leave, as her case was not of a character that required worldly medicine. Despite a great deal of entreaty she still refused to take food. She was then told that food would have to be forced into her stomach if she did not take it in a natural manner. Her breath was becoming sickening, and the membranous lining of her stomach was becoming inflamed. On July 18 she ate a cracker, in order to avert having food ejected. The very small quantity of food taken was just sufficient to keep her from actual starvation. Dr. Shmucker ceased paying visits because he thought nothing was to be accomplished. Dr. Martin Luther, one of the leading physicians of the town, was then called in. He wa* told that Miss Root was eating nothing at all. She was weak, pale, emaciated, and verging on to actual starvation. She positively refused to eat or drink any thing. Her case was assuming an alarm ing phase. She was known to have been on her knees five hours at a time reading her Bible and praying. Her devotional exercises were almost constant. Nearly all her strength was being consumed by this. Dr. Luther immediately ordered this to be stopped. Miss Root was dying slowly for the want of nourishment. She refused to obey Dr. Luther’s order to eat or drink, saying that eating and drinking was not necessary. The physician reasoned with her, and demonstrated the folly of her attempted 40 days fast, and told her explicitly that she was slowly killing her self ; but she paid no heed to him. An attendant was then summoned to hold her hands, and a spoon was, forced between her teeth, but Miss Root refused to swal low the food. A tube was then inserted in her nostril, and a small quantity of gruel was forced into her stomach. It was necessary to hold her hands during this operation. Finally Miss Root told Dr. Luther she would make no resistance to him, and that he need not hold her hands down any more Her doctor en treated her to take the food in the regular manner, but she firmly refused. A small quantity of gruel and milk was again in jected through the nostril into the gullet and thence into the stomach. Miss Root made no resistance, but refused to eat or drink in a natural way. Only small quan tities of food are given to her, and her life is being prolonged by injecting the fluid matter through her nostrils. jShe is quite obstinate, despite her weakness, and it is impossible to conjecture how long her life can be prolonged.

THE ASMBU&TON GUARDIAN*

IbAIUkDAV, NoVtWtBKk 12. 1X79

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Whxtebait. —The Chinamen at Hoki tika are catching whitebait by the ton. What are not sold by them in town are dried in the sun on big tables, on which they are constantly turned, and after be ing dried they are put into bags and shipped from the Coast and sold by the pound to Chinese customers. They ask Is. 6d., but if sold by the sack they readily fetch Is. per pound. The balance, for which they have no tables or boards to dry them on, are used as manure for their gardens, and if the wind is coming from their quarter the odour is like that from a slaughter-yard.



The well-known fragrant, sweet-scented or lemon verbena (lippia citriodora) is re garded among the Spanish people as a fine stomachic and cordial. It is either nsed in the form of a cold decoction, sweetened, or five or sip leaves are put into a teacup, and hot tea poured upon them. The author of a recent w r ork, “Among the Spanish People,” says that the flavor of the tea thus prepared “is simply delicious, and no one who has drunk his Pekoe with it will ever again drink it without a sprig of lemon verbena.” And he further makes a statement, more important than all the rest, if true, that if this decoction be used one need “never suffer from flatulence, never be made nervous or old maidish, never have cholera, diarrhoea, oip loss of appetite. ”