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placc. The gully was studded with tents from one end to the other, and the surface, verdant with fine grass two months ago, was now gutted and ransacked in an extraordinary manner. Fully 3000 people must have been at work in the diggings, and numerous parties were seen spread out over the adjacent gullies and even hills. Altogether there cannot be less than 6000 people on the diggings. On the day after my arrival, I went over the ground and conversed with many parties at work. Where I was known, every information was given me, and civility shewn; where not known, this was not always the case. With the influx of strangers, men see reason to be more cautious. My general impression is that all are making wages, but many are making three or four times that. Some have made small fortunes. I saw no idlers. I have spoken to various diggers that have "prospected" the country, and the report is that a paying gold field extends from Tokomairiro to the Clutha—a distance of 30 miles. Many of the first diggers are leaving the fields, being satisfied with what they have made, and doubtful of further great success. They see that investments in property and former pursuits will do as much for them as digging, now that they have amassed a little capital.

The best criterion of the field will now be the return brought down by the escort. The impressions of a single individual like myself may be to a considerable extent erroneous. As my errand to the gold field this time was for a different object than enquiry into the returns of the diggers, I did not take particular note of facts; but I left the field with the impression that it would extend its limits over a large tract of country.—I remain, yours very respectfully,

J. T. THOMSON,
Chief Surveyor.

P.S.—I saw one nugget at Mr. Switzer's, got by Joseph Gale, weighing 2 ozs. 2 dwts.

CATTLE DISEASE.

Dunedin, September 18th, 1861.

SIR.—As requested by your Honor, I beg to give you the result of my investigation as to the existence of a disease among the cattle in the Province, supposed to be Pleuro-Pneumonia. The last six weeks I have been through a great portion of the Province, and have made every inquiry as to the general health of the cattle, and find in all cases, where they are not abused by mismanagement, inattention, half starvation, or over-worked, to be perfectly healthy, nor do I believe that there is any contagious disease amongst the cattle in Otago; and I am of opinion that there is not the slightest necessity to proclaim any district in the Province an infected district.

And I am also of opinion, from information gathered from parties residing in the North Island, that there would be no danger to the health of cattle in this Province by importations from thence.

I have, &c.,

WM. LOGIE,
Chief Inspector of Sheep.

To His Honor
The Superintendent of Otago.

EDUCATION BOARD.

THE HALF-YEARLY GENERAL MEETING of the EDUCATION BOARD will be held, at the Government Offices, Dunedin, upon MONDAY, the 21st day of October, 1861, at 12 o'clock noon, for the despatch of Business.

JOHN HISLOP,
Secretary.

Dunedin, 28th August 1861.

I HEREBY notify that I have appointed
MATTHEW R. MILLER,
residing at Mr. Clapcott's Station, Popotunoa,
to be a Sub-Inspector of Sheep.

W. LOGIE,
Chief Inspector.

Warrant delegating to the Superintendent of Otago the Governor's power to Appoint Returning Officers, &c.

By His Excellency Colonel THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c., &c., &c.

WHEREAS by "The Provincial Elections Act, 1858," the Governor is empowered to delegate to the Superintendent of any Province the power of appointing and removing Returning Officers, and also of appointing and establishing Polling Places for the Election of the Superintendent or of Members of the Provincial Council of such Province:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THOMAS GORE BROWNE, the Governor of the said Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the said power and authority, do HEREBY DELEGATE to John Larkin Cheese Richardson, Esquire, the Superintendent of the Province of Otago, in the said Colony, the above recited powers, To be held and exercised by him from time to time as he shall think fit, so long as he shall hold the said office of Superintendent.

Given under my hand, at the Government House, at Auckland, this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.

T. GORE BROWNE.

By His Excellency's Command,
WILLIAM FOX.

By His Excellency Colonel THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c. &c.

WHEREAS by "The Diseased Cattle Act, 1861," it was provided that the Governor in Council might, by warrant under his hand, from time to time delegate to the Superintendent of any Province within the said Colony all or any of the powers vested in the Governor or Governor in Council by the said Act, subject to such regulations as he might think fit, and might from time to time rescind such delegation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THOMAS GORE BROWNE, the Governor of the said Colony of New Zealand, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council thereof, and in pursuance and of the said power and authority, do by this warrant under my hand delegate to JOHN LARKIN CHEESE RICHARDSON, Esquire, so long as he shall hold the office of Superin-