A stable, barn, and contents, belonging to Mr James Wilson, Myross Bush, Southland, were destroyed by fire ou Thursday evening. An" adjoining cottage also took fire.but it was saved after some trouble without having been much damaged. The stable and barn were insured in the National for £100 and the cottage for £SO. Tuu correspondence which has passed between the Woolgrowers' Association of Australasia and merchants in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Japan as to establishing woollen factories in China and Japan shows that the principal point to be studied appears to be with regard to obtaining a class of wool low enough in quality to be used in the manufacture of blankets and cheap tweeds. Such a class of wool might not pay to send Home, but with the smaller freight and insurance necessary to carry it to China or Janan an inferior quality might be rendered payable. Then, again, the fact that labour in Japan is very cheap is regarded as a material point in favour of the proposal. The council of the association is at present waiting for in formation from their representatives in London, and when that is obtained immediate steps will in all probability be taken to float n company for the establishment of woollen factories in both China and Japan.
The Victorian Government have made some slight provision for the willow of the late Marcus Clarke by appointing hor to the position of registrar of births and deaths at South Fitzroy. Mr J. T. Gallon, who may be said to be one of the founders of the wine industry in the colonies, died at his residence near Sydney on the 26th ult. He was a native of Athlone, Ireland, and had been a resident of New South Wales for'lo years.
