ff Jut/Mr Murcell," I said,',' why is it the people cannot see through the im portance of the amalgamation, when it is ■, well 'known that it will be a benefit to all. /concerned —to the merchants of the ' Thames, and -to the merohahts of Auck land? It "is well known that ell our Tictuals have to come from Auckland, and you will agree. that it has been a good market .and a splendid outlet for ship load* after shiploads of all kinds of. pro duce.". "*" .' .* ■ .- "Oh, yes, be answered, *' this class' of ** people all'know this, but.it appears there .. w ••little jealousy among the leading " *Inininp men, ancl 'this disheartens the ;' merchants, who would "willingly aeßist in <^a speoiof this,sort that .is likely to be. good/. ■ * "* " Juat so," I said, " but why so, Mr > MuroellP'

" W>ll, Mr Johnstone," he replied, I' for different thiogs. Some individuals , run this aort of thing down because they «..'fcre!not the first rubbers in it,.and until ' " tfieyire, they.«imply sit on it. And thera ■ \ is another reason which troubles some of * th» present directors of several of the com v /^Pfnief, and .that is they are afraid they will * - \*foie thefr half-gainea9,«B they would not be. eligible" to be elected on the directorate if :<*■ the amalgamation, should take*pU°e > a?» ■teordidg to the present laws now in force in reference"to a directorship, they are not entitled.!o hold the position of a ! - director in two mines,, which adjoin each ' ■^ /other. They could only be a director in ..one of these mines, and they ccc now that 1 i; the time is fastapproachibg when some of them will have to relinquish the present '■: position they bold on coace of the present. Spards, as the legal managers will have to do their duty, and see that these laws are * car'ried^out. * And I think they are afraid. the amalgamation will upset their little ~. 