The plea that Australia is subject to droughts and famines is alamo one, for the vastnoss of Australia precludes tho possibility of tho whole continent bang subjected to such visitations, liut whether such things are likely to happen or not Now Zealand was never considered in the la iUoi\ Our oxports of frozen moat aro larger than those of Ausrralia, although tho Argentine has forged ahead of both. Between tho Commonwealth and Now Zealand tliero could hive been no pos sibility of supplies running short. Tho contract has been Made at an iuoppo tune time for Now Zabland. This colony has just called for tendors for a stoam service to foster trade with South Africa, and as frozen meat was expected to bo oueof tho principal commodities sent to that country the acceptance of such a contiact by tho Imperial Government placos us at a manifest disadvantage. The contractu made, and it is improbable that it cau be ultei'e.l. liut whether this is so or not, tho protest of Jir deddou will let the Imperial authorities know that tliay should be moro alive to the necessity of binding the Empire together by other methods than those chatjaro purely sentimental Experts in the trade, however, havo given it as their opinion thafc South A'rica, is not our ma'fJfet ior frozau meat, that we can do better by holding the leading position on the London market, and getting the best price thorn. We cannot hope, tliey say, to obtain a better price than Aw cMlia and the Argentine in South -Irica. and while that is so, weshonN not push tho trade, but hold on to the better market, where m lead. That, nowevor, is no reason why Mr Seddmi should not have taken up the cudgola on behalf of this colony, for if we are put aside in one thing «'a any also be in others,

HARBOR STREET. JnE Borough Council is again to be con fronted with tliig subject, this time in a new guiso, I he tenants of tho Board havo appealed to that body to institute a mow rational system of drainage, and the Board, rightly recognising the jilstico of asking tho Council to assist, has appointed two of it 3 memuors to urge its reasons at tho 'meeting on Friday night. 