He believed as much as L 50,000 had been .offered for the purchase of Inchclutha, and if their property was of that value, he thought they" could do something themselves. • ■ The staff of the North Dunedin School met on the 26th, in the schoolroom, io order to bid farewell to Mr Murray, who, has 'been con nected with the school for several years, and is leaving because his medical adviser states that a change of climate is imperative. Mr Murray's fellow-teachers wishing to Bhow their kindly feeling, made him a presentation of a pair of very handsome bronze statuettes and a unique silver cruet stand. Mr Murray returned thanks, and said he was sorry to leave so many kind friends. Mr Murray has been appointed first assistant in the Napier public school," and left on Friday for Hawke Bay Province. The Caversham Post Office has been removed to the Eailway station, and there is now a postal delivery. The change has been made through the inconvenience experienced by the residents of Caversham under the old system, iri not receiving letters immediately after arrival at the office, and the increasing amount of corres pondence. It is probable that Kensington, and Forbury will have a postal delivery from Dun-fc edin. 1 The Key Dr Stuart returned on Monday from Invercargill, where he has been officiating for the last two weeks in place of the Eev. Mr Stobo. ; The gold returns from the Thames gold field for the week ending 21st December, showed a total yield of 1240 oz 7 dwts. As an example of the extent of the demand for labour of various kinds which has existed during the past year, we may mention that one labour agency alone— that of Mr Skene— has made 5300 bona fide engagements. During the five years of the existence of this agency no less than 19,090 engagements have been made. The Sydney Morning Herald of the 16th instant says :— " The Anglo-Afghan war is cer tainly, to use somewhat of a paradox, one of the most peaceful conflicts ever engaged in be tween Great Britain and the people of Central Asia. The Afghan soldiers, whose valour has been proved in many a fierce battle, seem to have lost their martial ardour. 