Two bodies have been taken from the Molyneux — the one at Ettrick and the other at Coal Creek. They are believed to be those of Murray and .Tamieson, the two men who were drowned owing to the sinking of a boat at Alexandra a few days ago.
It is proverbial that misfortunes never come singly. Catlins District is at present ex periencing the truth of this The saw-mills have all stopped work. So has the powder manufactory. We are not aware of the cause, but presume the stoppage is only temporary.
We are informed that considerable mis understanding exists as to the amount of the special rate for works now to be undertakeu upon main roads under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. No doubt a fraction of a penny in the pound seems a v.ei-y small sum to pay by those who have hitherto been accustomed to one shilling in the pound. The explanation ia that the rate previously was "upon the "annual" value; all rates now levied by local bodies are upon the* fee simple value of the property. We .give in this issue reports of the ad dresses delivered by Messrs Stout and Fish upon the subject of Major Atkinson's National Insur ance Scheme. We have on several occasions discussed and condemned this scheme, and i* will be seen that the mom carefully it is ex amined it appears the more absurd. We under stand Major Atkinson intends during next ses sion to introduce a measure to give efiect to his scheme, but unless he muster a following of equal blindnes and. docility as that ho attached to him self during last session, he ii likely to make but little progress ia his self-imposed task.
