+ [Fer Umted Pbess Association.] London, May 1. At the wool sales prices are unchanged, but th^ -one of the market is improving. Merino sheepskins are a fathing, and cross-bred sheepskins a half -penny below prices ruling at March sales. "'"■- -£S7 Zealand mutton is quoted at 4jd ; Sydney, 4a>isoc££4ojpftm, jjfa-; lambs, s£d. Kew Zealand TmlrTQW^l ßlsl^ '}*** ifl qvoted a3 f ollo'?rs t-^Mndquftrteri^iilS \ fold quarters, 4d. ■ :•" -- ' i"■ ''^•• > )a New Zealand hemp, good- • quality, v £22;' ' fair, £20. ' • •  ii

A man and woman have been arrested in Melbourne, who are said to be concerned in seventy different robberies. The woman visited houses and asked for charity, and being shown into a room to wait while some food was got for her ,would decamp with everything she could lay her hands on. One of her oxploits was a visit to Dr Singleton, the aged philanthropist, who is well known. Ho was ill, and she had to be taken to his bedroom to toll her story. Whilo he was ' writiug some order for her, she made a bolt with his watch and chain, which wero lying \ on the table, and got clear away with it j before he could give tho alarm. Says the Nelson Colonist: — Mr J. H. Richardson, who has been mentioned as the

probablo reoipiont of the appointment lately held by Mr Frankland, as general manager of tho Government Insurance Department, is well known hero as an old Nelson boy, and indeed his mother, Mrs Wiesenhavorn, is still resident amongst us. Ho was educated at the Bishop's School and the Nelson College, having been nt the latter Institution under MrF. Simmons and Mr Mackay. As an actuary Mr Richardson's work has been very highly spoken of, and his present prospects will be viewed with satisfaction by many friends here. The Reefton Guardian says a forged transfer of 200 Scotia shares came through the Nr.Honal Bank a few days ngo. It pur ported to bo drawn up by Mr Angus Campbell, hotelkooper, of, Reefton, but the signature of that gentleman being well known to the Dank, it was at once thought from its dissimilarity that the document was a spurious ouo. 