I don't mean to say that he actually j appropriated them, but merely kept them himself and put in their'place other money, or, perhaps, a cheque. .The effect of such a proceeding on the part of only a few clergy men even would be that in a short time | threepenny and fourpenny pieces would be quite curiosities, and eagerly snapped up when met with by any collector of rare coins at a large premium. Verily these clergymen are knowing fellows." There are about 6,424,498 acres in Otago, and 1,500,000 acres in Southland, in pastoral occupation. At the famed Clearwater Creek, near Ross, there are now only two claims at work — the Golden Crown and Parnell's both of which are paying well. : Sufferers from rheumatism may benefit from the following extract of a letter by Mr John Barker, of Thornton, Victoria: — "In the month of May last year I was suddenly seized with a most painful and acute attack of rheumatism. I tried the usual medicines without effect. It was suggested to me that I should try a bath in the lime and sulphur solution, as prepared for scabby sheep, as it was believed that, one or two baths would completely remove all my pains. I had a bath in the lime and sulphur solution in a squatter's sheep dip, and I felt the pain leave me while in the dip.. I had a second bath in the- course of a few days thereafter, and since then I have never felt a twinge of rheumatic pains." ■''■'"'■ Mr Saul Samuel, the Postmaster-General of New South Wales, has written a letter to his chief, Mr Parkes, detailing his negotia tions with Mr Yogel regarding the establish ment of a San Francisco mail service. In the course : of 'his letterj he says : — " I left Wellington, per /Tararuaj : on the ]4tlv.inst.; and 1 on the arrival" of the steamer at Hokitika , on the 9th, I received a telegram from Mr Yogel stating that the promised reply had I been forwarded to Melbourne. 