He was in favour of cutting up the Mallee country, with a fixity of tenure, but he was not sure that Parliament would sanction that course. Nothing but settlement would have the effect of dealing with the pest. He promised to call a special meeting of the Cabinet to consider the rabbit ques tion." ' 4

It has been decided to liberate a consi derable number of Maori political pri soners now detained in Lyttelton Gaol. We learn from the Dunstan Times that a rather heavy shock of earthquake visited Clyde on the night of Sunday, the 10th instant, at 11 o'clock. Official telegrams report that the usual monthly meeting was hold at Pari haka on Sunday last, when about 1800 Natives were present. The proceecings were interrupted by heavy showers of rain. Te Whiti delivered an address con cluding somewhat abruptly on account of the inclemency of the weather. He spoke in an unwontedly downcast and despon dent strain, saying : " The times are dark, and I cannot throw any light on what is going on now." He toldf his followers not to be disheartened about the prisoners who died, as they were ill th:ur arrest, and added — " No evil can happen to us or them ; though some may be struck by the hand of misforture, the evil among us is not of to-day." Te Whiti's whole demeanour seems to have been one of submission to the hand of the adverse fates, and his tone is wholly peaceful. News has reached Greymouth from Reefton of a man named Bell, a sort of a cockatoo settler, near Boatman's Creek, having been found in his cow-shed with his brains blown out. His murderer is sup posed to be one David M' Gahey , alias ' Van - kee Dave.' Jealousy is the alleged cause. The suspected murderer i 3 missing. The name of the murdered man is John Bell, of Larry's Creek, Westport road. Mr Cresto called upon him on Saturday morning, and found him bailing up cows. Mrs M' Gahey was there, but she soon left for Reef ton. 