Museum, intimating the intention of the directors to establish classes in mechanics, mathematics, and practical geometry, in addition to the classes already formed. After some discussion, the following resolution was carried:— That this society give all the assistance it can to the Technological Commissioners in furtherance of their very laudable object, and that the secretary be instructed to forward a copy of the suggestions and this resolution to Mr J. Cosmo New uprrv Mr Baker’B tweed factory, Sydney, has been destroyed by fire. It is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. The loss is estimated at £20,000, ol which £14,600 is covered by insurance. About one hundred persons are thrown out ot eD Th°e s Tnnual tenders for the Provincial Government contracts will be called for on or about the 20th instant. Several cases of fish poisoning have occurred at the Thames. About two months ago, says an dago paper, four deer were seen in the vicinity of the Remarkable Gap by one of a party of miners from the Wkikaia, who were out prospecting this little frequented tract of country. They are described as a buck and a doe and two young ones-one ot them being this season’s fawn the other apparently twelve months older. Ihe place where they were observed is about 6000 feet above the sea level, and distance eight miles from the “ north pole, m one of those singular snowy flats which are to be met with in that elevated locality, ihe whence of the animals is involved m con-

3 A correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writesA cut of a black pine post, forming part of a garden fence, ten years in the ground, and as sound as when the tree was cut down, can be seen in the waiting room adjoining the Provincial Council Hall. There are tens of thousands of acres in Southland on which black pine probably forms about one-third of the timber. Trees can be seen within a mile or two of Invercargill with trunks of 40 to 60 feet and upwards without a branch. 