Rapid progress is being made with the Matau bridge. Pile-driving will soon be completed. It will be observed that the next San Fran cisco mail will leave the office here on Tuesday first. "We have just been shown a cake of retorted gold from the Bruce Quartz Mining Company's "Canada reef. It weighed about 104ozb. A telegram from Melbourne says Lady Bowen was assaulted at the door of the Athe naeum by a well-dressed female, who is supposed to be insane. The case of "Webb v. the National Bank was before His Honor Mr Justice Williams in Banco yesterday, when the rule was made absolute for - a new trial. Messes Maetin, Maitla:nt>, and Co., of In- Tercargiil advertise a sale of 150 head of cattle at 'Gore on 7th September. We learn, on just going to press, that the sale has been postponed "till an early day in Oct^er, when 400 head of cattle will be offered. Full particulara will ap. pear hi future issues of the Leader. We understand that Mr A. Peach will visit Balclutha io-day with a sample of life portraits in oil, executed by Mr E. H. Mayhew, who has beeu engaged by Messrs Poole and Co., Milton, for a short season. This will be a fine oppor tunity for persons to secure a first-class portrait, : as this artist's work is well known. The approaches to the Kaitangata punt will shortly be improved by the addition of a floating stage at each side, the want of which has, when ever the river was extra high or low, always oc "casioned great inconvenience. Settlers and •others may now feel confident of getting across, irrespective of the state of the river. The new proprietor of the Balclutha Hotel, Mr F. S. Canning, has been actively engaged for some weeks past making sundi*y alterations and improvements upon the braiding. Many of the internal iiTangements of the building have been altered, with a view to greater comfort aud con venience. The whole interior of the building has got a thorough renovation, and has been re papered and painted. Tho outside of the house is also to be painted afresh. Certainly a great improvement has beeu effected upon this old established house, and the whole of -the rooms have now a very clean and comfortable appea rance. 