MISCELLANEOUS.
At the last meeting of the Taurunga Parlia mentary Union, the second reading of the Volcanic and Fire Insurance Act came on. The bill provides for the insurance by Government of all properties, except land, in volcanic dis tricts. During the debute, says a local paper, " the hou. member for Tarawera said that no more explosions could bo reasonably expected from his part of the colony. While tho hon. the Attorney-general was replying, low rumbl ings were heard in that direction, and tho buildingwasshaken by an earthquake; so the second reading was passed without comment. The House then rose."

With commendable enterprise, Mr James! M'Donald, the well-known limeburner.is baring erected at the corner between Cumberland, Water, and Vogel streets a large building with the view of manufacturing cement of a similar consistency to Portland cement. The building is nearly completed, and on the ground floor machinery is now working. If Mr M'Douald succeeds as he anticipates in the manufacture of cement, he intends proceeding to the old country to procure the best machinery for the purpose. One of the frontages of the buildin" isß2ftGiu; theotbcr47ffcßm; and the height to the parapet is 13ft Gin. In the lower portion of the building Mr M'Donaldis hydrau lic lime has been used. The whole of the super structure is'of brick, and will be finished with the cement now being mauufacturad. Mr R. A. Lawson is the architect for the building.
