Mr De L'Eau, if we mis take not, has said there are coutractors in Paris who would willingly give £5)00 a year for the right to collect the refuse of such a city as that we are now living in, and then, saya this gentleman, they would mako as much more by the transaction as what they had given." Referring to the objections raised to the members of the Armed Constabulary being allowed to oorapete at the Colonial prize tiring, the Southern Cross says :—" We fail to discover any sound reason for tho exclu» sion of the CmstibuWy from this competi tion, Indeod, sound principle and good pract : '!8, to our thinking, points in the oilier direction. We wish to make the Constabu lary a strong and useful arm. ready to meet any possible difficulty in which the best drill, and the best shot is lik"ly to be sue cessful. The annual tiring was instituted to uffeot such drill, and such shooting. It would be decidedly disadvantageous to the public service were the Constabulary to be excluded from participating in this competi tion, and that being so, we hopa to hear no more mistaken objections started against their presence on the field of contest."

The Tasmanian Tribune devotes a leading article to the question of the abolition of Provinces in New Zealand, and supports the view of the matter taken by Sir George Grey. • The Argus itates that the first of the new steamers direct from England, under the auspices of the Australian Direct Steam Navigation Company, will be the Victoria, the largest steamer that has yet been placed in the Australian trade. She is to leave on March 3rd, and is expected to make tho passage in 45 days. The return Intercolonial Cricket Match, between New South Wale 3 aud Victoria, will be played at Sydney during the first week of March next. The team will be selected from the following players :—Alex ander, Allen, Blackhatn, Boyle, Campbell, Cosstiok, Gonway, Cooper, Gagqin, Gibson, Goldsmith. Hastings, Horau, Kelly, Lough nan, jun., Midwinter, Slight, and Swift. 