A farmer, having lost some ducks, was asked fey the counsel for the prisoner accused of stealing them to describe their peculiarity: After he had dpnef'so the counsel remarked, "They can't b»tuoh a^rjfre breed, as I have some like them in my yard," "That's very likely," said the farmer; " the« art ' noFtte only duck* oi iho Mmc sort Ire had ifrtarfyNty/'^

involved, your committee thinks it would bo advisable that the voting power of the ratepayer* should be regulated. to some extent by the amount of property held by them, and' suggests aa follows : — On property of which the assessed value does not exceed £50 % vote. Above £50, and not exceeding £ ifiO. 2 votes. Above £150, and not exceeding £500. , 3 votes. Above £500 , .., ... 4 votes. This will show what the Otago Pro vincial Council deem necessary to sup* port municipal institutions in Dune dinj ancl we submit the points to the careful consideration of the authori ties. It is quite clear that in Auckland the city cannot expect any subsidy from the pro vince. It is equally clear it cannot carry out public improvements without funds, and without power to do so, as at present. Therefore the law needs improvement, and we trust that all parties in the city will unite to obtain such alterations as may be necessary for the good government of the place, ' ,

the Council for the administration of justice on the GoldoeMa, «nd Mating that any infringement of , th- Ool.'.fiel s Ordinance will be puniaued with the 1 Tlt^Mfi t "k°«f of the law. We. Wellington Provincial Council has be,en prorogi^ed. • Public opinion is aetting-in against tbe Kennard contract. The plant of the ;slip is advertised, to be sold. The Canterbury Provincial Council is in session, having been opened on the 7th. We Jutd the following telegraphic summary in the Independent:—'

, Chbistchtjrch, June 7. , Th^,BedyJDci*l Council met this afternoon, , and, after tn||Siperintendent bad delivered, his speech, adjourned until Tuesday, the 11th instant. t Bis Honor's speech was mostly confined to pro* viffipl nutters. He regretted that the existing 1 coffinerojal depression had not yet been alleviated ; congratulated the Council upon the succestful open •MPg of the tunnel ; stated the plan he proposed for JBfc<lging the Bakaia, and recommended that the should meet with immediate consideration. 