The District Chief Ruler of the Inde pendent Order of Rechabites, Mr W. Johnson, arrived at Marton from Wel lington on Friday last, having been requested to open a branch or tent of the Order by a number of the leading inhabi tants of that toAvn. The opening ceremony took place on Friday evening, and the installation of officers on Saturday. The Hon W. Fox Avas appointed P. OR. ; Robert Ward, C.R. ; Edward Read, D.R. ; A. C. Rigg, Secretary ;■ and Joshua Tomes, Treasurer. The name chosen for the neAv tent Avas Unity Tent, and the first meeting takes place on Satur day, 30th instant, and every alternate Saturday evening afterwards. The "Hamilton Spectator" states that a discovery has been lately made as to the habits of the ants at Avalong station, near the Duck Ponds. Mr Austin had soavu some time ago a quantity of couch grass, to form a croquet ground. In due time it came up and flourished, and at seed time there was abundance of seed observed. As it ripened, however, it mysteriously disappeared. After some Avatching the theft Avas traced to the ants, Avho had carried off nine-tenths of it, and buried it in their hills at a con siderable depth for food. The Samoan correspondent of the ''Sydney Morning Herald," Avriting from Apia on the 4th September, says : —"lt appears that the Americans are about to fortify Pango Pango, the harbor of Tutuila. As I before informed you, they took possession of this place as long ago as last February. Since that they have dine nothing to demonstrate their regard for this place aboA T e any other, and people are in great doubt as to whether they Avill iioav come officially even as far as Tutuila. HoAvever, all doubts are in a fair way of noAv being set at rest, as Mr Collie has received neAA r s from San Francisco that a commissioner from Washington is to visit the islands next December. He will report upon the fitness or otherwise of Pango Pango for a naval station. It can not be too clearly understood that the Americans have no intention of taking the whole group under their protection. To do this they must conquer it, a Avork of no little difficulty and expense. 