To Andrew Todd, Esq., Chair man of public meeting, Johnstone, East aieri, Otago."

Norn iTHSTANDirso the predictions of Lieut. Saxby, the weather yesterday was as fine and calm as could be desired, and the barometer shows no indications of change. Omasa the firefc six months of the current yes r 28,410,419 pounds of wool were exported from New Z-aland, as against 27,497,128 for the cor responding period of last year. The Court of Appeal will sit at Wellington, on tho 12th inst;., ami we understand an unusually largo number of cases await, their decision. The first anniversary of the new Volunteer Firo Brigade, Dunedin, was celebrated. on tho evening of i-riday lust by tho usual torch light procession, supper, &c. A large block of available agricultural land in Horse Shoe Bend district will" be put into the market for sale immediately. Alfred Scarlett, a miner, has been killed by a fall of earth afc the Kyeburn diggings. A China man has been killed in a similar manner afc the Lnmmerlaws. Tub Arms Act, passed afc last session of As sembly, makes the salo of arms or warlike stores to nntizes a capital offence, and the Government intimated that tlrs was no empty threat, as the penalty would be rigidly enforced in case of con viction. TrtK Kaitangata Swamp Road, on ac-ounfc of the weather, is now much improved, but is still in a very rough state. It is high time the folks in the district bestirred themselves, in order to have it gravelled at once, to make it passible in the summer time and improved for next winter. We observe from an advertisement that tbe next quart* r afc Mr Waxmuth's private sohool commences on Monday first. From the variety of branches of education taught, and tho reasonable ! ness ul the charges, we trust a large accession of pupils to this already prosperous school will be : experienced on Monday evening. I This Lower Waifcaki Ferry Hotel, the property I of Mr Neil M'Cowan, w<s totally destroyed by fire early on the morning of Thursday last. The fire was first discovered in the kitchen, and so rapidly did the flames extend that Mrs M* Co wan and her infant child were with difficulty saved in their night clothes. Stock, books, furniture, &c, are all destroyed to the value of LSOO, of which L6OO is covered by insurauco. 