The tenders, four in number, for the 1,000 yards of blnestone metal, advertised for by the Council, were opened yesterday, when that of John Grant, at 3s. 7itL per yard, being the lowest, was accepted. The re jected tenders were at the following rates : H. Mnnro, 4s. 4d. ; H. Wallace, Us. llid. ; and Barnabas Battersby, at 3s. 9d. per yard. This prince of humbng3, Dr. Carr, appears to have a most marvellous knack of reaching 2Cew Zealanders' pockets. For years past he has perambulated, over and over again, all parts of the Colony, and gaping idiots are always glad to sec him "only once more." It augurs well for the consummate knowledge of the world's weakest and softest parts, which the "doctor" evidently possesses to a superlative degree. Lately he was lecturing in Blenheim with much success in the matter of attracting audiences. His sixth lecture was so largely attended that many /were unable to obtain admission to the .hall in which it was delivered. He'is expected shortly to visit Wellington, where he will deliver a scries of lectures on the phreno logical characteristics of the leading mem bers of the Assemblv. hat next ?

Litest fashions are approaching the incident as closely as any regard for ap pearances will allow. The Paris correspon dent of the Melbourne A rt/us writes : —" And since I am speaking of dress, allow me to note down here a detail- : whicli shows what are the caprices and whims of the mode, and how fashion rushes from one extreme to another. I allude to the exaggerated nar rowness of the skirts of ladies drcssej, which no longer seem intended to veil the human body, but rather to show its form to the human eye as clearly as possible. Nay-, more,, for the ball-dresses the .fashion copies the nmdc3 of the ancients to such a degree that the dress is maintained on the shoulders by a simple clasp, leaving the arms wholly bare ; you must also remark that the bodice is cut lower down than'ever. ' Fashion seems to have copied the-museums of ancient art, and you"meet in the play-houses and in'-the drawing-rooms of our > '-/*'</«'i'* all the women without sleeves of aiiv was the wont of IJotne during the time of IKhhulus and his , successors. 