The result of their inquiries has been to countermand the shipment of those formerly ordered and ready for despatch, and now finally pronounced ill-adapted for the service. Consequently the whole of the cases containing the pack-saddles, which have been in readiness for shipment for some days past, were yesterday ordered to be cleared away from the wharf, and to be stored in reserve. They are to be replaced by the species of saddle ased during the war with the natives in New Zealand, and de signated "the Otago saddle." Mr. Bailey, who accompanied the troops as supernumerary during the war in New Zealand, had ample means of testing the efficiency of the saddle ; and on his recommendation and that of Quartermaster Stalford, Military Train, the Government have resolred on adopting the system for the present expedition to Abyssinja. They have also undergone a course of trial at Wool wich and Aldershott ■ with advantsgeous results. The War Department, it appears, had decided on adopting the new pack-saddle recently appointed by lieutenant MeMMiim,* *ud had & sufficient number made by contract for the present emergency ; but, on -account of the qualities of the Otago saddles, tested in actual warfare and in the jungle, it was con»id#rsdprudent fco defer actual ujse, of the McMahon

Our Little Omaha correspondent furnishes us wi^h a report of a largely-attended public meeting held on the 22nd instant at the residence of 0. S, Clark? , Esq., for the purpose of adopting the ncessary measures to place the district under the operation of the Highways Aot. Messrs. Clarke and Greenwood were appointed a deputation to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent to requeit him to put the district, including the village of Leigh, under the operation of • the Highways Act. The proceeding! then ter minated. A meeting of the shareholders of the Otahuhu Public Hall Company was held last evening in the hall, to receive the balance-sheet for the past year. The accounts of the Company are, however, acoord ing to ' the auditors, not in a satisfactory state, and several hours were spent by these gentlemen and Mr. King, the late secretary, in attampting to come to an understanding about the matter. From half-past seven o'clock till near midnight was occu pied in efforts to comprehend -the balance-sheet, and at length the shareholders had to separate without coming to any conclusion. 