From a] Scotch newspaper we take the fol lowing account of a farewell dinner given to Mr Norrie, the new rector of the High School : — "On February sth Mr William Norrie, M.A., one of the classical masters in the Collegiate School, Edinburgh, was entertained to dinner in the Balmoral Hotel by a number of his friends, previous to his departure to New Zea land to assume the rectorship of the High School of Dunedin. The Hon. Lord Ardmillan occupied the chair, and Dr Bryce acted as croupier. After dinner, which was sumptuous and recherche, the chairman gave the toast of the evening — " Health, happiness, success, and distinction to our friend and guest Mr Nome. " It was their priviledge, he said, to bear testi mony to Mr Nome's worth, his attainments and his capacity, and to offer him their hearty good wishes to cheer him on his departure to an honourable and responsible position in the British Colonies as Rector of the High School of Dunedin. — (Applause.) He (his lordship) had perused a whole volume of testimonials intended and calculated to commend Mr Norrie to those who did not know him ; but those who did know him required no tes timonials to the talents which had won their admiration, the worth which had secured their respect, and to the generous and

An inquest upon the body of the unfortunate man George Smith, who was killed on Wed nesday, was held at Port Chalmers yesterday, before the Coroner, Dr O'Donoghue, and a Jury of 12, with Mr M'Kenzie foreman. The first witness examined was George Blackwell, who said that he was a labourer employed at Port Chalmers by Mr Proudfoot, and on the 31st of March was acting as ganger over a party of men employed at a cutting in George street, between Kettle's and Scott's stores. Deceased was cutting a chamber, and witness was working in the face of the cutting in front of him. Suddenly the earth cracked and slipped in, and in the twinkling of an eye, buried deceased. Witness narrowly escaped. Deceased was dug out as quickly as possible, but was quite dead. By Sergeant Neil : Deceased was working about 9ft. from the surface. Witness asked him about three minutes before the accident happened, to look and see if aU was safe, and he replied all was safe. 