are expected to arrive in Auckland about the end of tho present month. A steamer is to be in waiting to convey them to Cook's Straits, for the purpose, we suppose, of visit ing the various localities submitted for their selection." We have however reason to believe that ! Sir Francis Murphy intends coming direct from Melbourne to Wellington. Thereis nothing of special importance to report either from Taranaki or Nelson. In the Provincial Council last night nothing of importance was done, if we except the motiou of Mr Borlase for the dissolution of the Council, which was negatived by a majo rity of eight to six. Several items on the Estimates were passed, including £25 for books for the Odd Fellows' Library. The Appropriation Bill was further considered and reported, the third reading to take place on Friday. The House adjourned until Friday at 3 p.m. I

Local Intelligence

Pbobogation op the Council. — The hon. Crown Lands Commissioner stated in the House last night that looking at the position of the business of the Council, he thought that if they adjourned to Friday, they would be enabled to complete the business of the Session on that day. The Seat OFGovERNJiaNTCoMMissoNERs. —We learn that by the Melbourne steamer to Cook's Stsait, of the 10th or 12fch, Sir Francis Murphy intended to proceed direct to Wellington. This steamer will be either the Albion or Claude Hainil ton, and may be expected, the former about the 20th, the latter about the 24th instant. We presume that as the Commis sioners are acting in concert the other two will arrive about the same time. It is highly satisfactory that the Commissioners will reach the scene of their investigation direct — the obvious necessity that this should be so must be apparent. Scaecity of Meat at Picton. — Wo com mend the following paragraph from the Marlborouyh Press of the 9th inst. to the attention of our export butchers : — Scarcity op Meat. — Yesterday, with tho exception of one or two carcasses of very attenuated mutton, there was not a pound of butcheri' meat in the market, and to make matters still worse for a bill of fare, every description of fish had kept a most respectful distance from the nets. 