The most important event of the week has been a welcome rainfall, which, though still msufncient,hasprovedhighly beneficial, and will be the salvation of the crops,which have already suffered, while the creeks and drains are so empty that on many stations wool cannot be washed. The rainfall is still six inches below the average of the last twenty years. Mr Berry is ill, and some exaggerated accounts have found way_ into print as to its serious nature, but it is only temporary, though he is still incapacitated from attend ing public duties this week. Mr Thurston, the present Colonial Secre tary of Fiji, has been appointed Secretary to the High Commsssioner of Polynesia in conjunction with his present office. In the Assembly, the tariff of new duties has been agreed 'to, and are expected to realise £260,000 per year. The duty on oils was withdrawn, as it was found that one firm had bought up the market, and nothing could be obtained from the decree. Sir Charles Sladen's Reform Bill has passed its second readiug in the Council. It proposes several Liberal reforms for widen ing the basis of representation. Itevenue returns for the quarter showed : Receipts, £J,133.680, being a decrease on the current quarter of £33,749; while the deprease on the year is £65,768. THE EXHIBITION^ The estimate for the Exhibition is £274,8,02, but with the amounts estimated to be deriveil from the value of temporary buildings and admission the real cost is set down at £224,802. MINERS' STRIKE AT SANDHURST. There is just now a miners' strike at Sandhurst, owing to a reduction in the rate of wages, but it is probable that before long some arrangement will be arrived at, as the cessation of work is most injurious to claim holders. PROSECUTION Of BANK DIRECTORS. The prosecution of the manager and directors of the Provincial and Suburban Bank is progressing slowly, and will pro h#b}y lajst|several days longer.
