Prom a return of the Sale of Aural Lands in Otago, in the month of July, we find that the whole amount realised was L13,92I 5s. The greater proportion of this sum was received for lands sold in the Oamaru and Otcpopo Hundreds; 1735 a. 1 ro. 20 p., being sold in the former for L1733 17s. 6d., and 4558 a. 12 p. in the latter, for L9602 17s. 7d. In Moeraki District, the sum of L989 was received for a like number of acres. In other Hundreds there were sales of from 40 to 577 acres. The first number of the " Bruce Independent" has reached us. It appears to be carefully got up, but it is to be regretted, we think, that two journals should at tempt to be successful in such a small community. We cannot see sufficient scope for both ; however, may both flourish. We also acknowledge receipt of the first num ber of " Otago Punch," the future numbers of which we hope will be improvements on that to hand. The Mayor's (Mare's) Nest is well-conceived, and cleveily executed. The Criminal Session of the Supreme Court com menced at Dunedin on Monday List, before Mr Justice Chapman. The calendar was the lightest known since the first rush to the Province : there being only nine prisoners for trial. On Monday three cases were disposed of — E. V. Thompson was found not guilty of embezzlement; J. B. Macdonald was sentenced to six months' imprison ment for obtaining money under false pretences at Blueskiu ; Alfred Champnesa was found guilty of horse stealing at Waitahuna, and was sentenced on Tuesday to one year's imprisonment with hard labor; George Weiss was acquitted of the charge of forging and utter ing; John M'Garrigle was found not guilty of assault ing Donald Ross, the bailiff ; P. Woods pleaded guilty to stealing a mare, for which crime he would receive his sentence on Wednesday. Morgan Davis, alias James Lloyd, was convicted of an assault on Emily Raymond at Long Slip, and sentenced to four months' imprison ment. True bills were returned against Sullivan and Donkin for embezzlement. 