In a very short time the whole parcel was disposed of, and tome thousand rifles were, by the agency of this enterprising Mayor, placed in the hands of private individuals —to be used, no doubt, for purposes of their own. In the “ Contemporary ” Mr M. G. Mulhall gives some startling statistics in connection with the financial aspect of Home Rule. He points out that “ the total amount which Ire land pays, over and above the sum expended in the country itself, on administration to wards the British Army and Navy, and in re turn for all the protection and advantages which follow from the might and power of Great Britain, taking an average of 64 years, is about half a million sterling per annum. But that half million has not been gain to us. We have taken over the Irish national debt, and for it we pay four millions per annum.. Since the amalgamation of the English and Irish Ex chequers we have paid on debt account 256 millions ; we have received 30J millions as surplus. The loss to England, therefore, has been, 226 millions. Referring to the formal opening of the works in connection with the sewage system of Christchurch, the “ Lyttelton Times ” says : —“Mr Clark designed and Mr Napier Bell assisted him to desigD, and has carried out a system which is well found, both in flashing and ventilation power. We feel no doubt of" its great success. To Mr Bell belongs the credit of the excellent supervision of what is undoubtedly the heaviest and most difficult - engineering work ever undertaken in New Zea land : a work, the difficulties of which would never, but for his resource and ability, have been surmounted. In the exercise of this duty he stood alone, the consulting engineer, Mr Clark, having died soon after the plans were commenced. To him, also, "belongs the credit of an estimate of cost, which has fallen short of the reality by £30,000, or 19 per cent.. The maxim that the engineer who is worth his salt always saves his salary is eminently applicable in his case. Such is the financial out-turn of the finest drainage system in the Southern Hemisphere. 