A REMARKABLE STREAM.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10144, 17 September 1898, Page 7

A REMARKABLE STREAM.

Mr W. Skey, Colonial Analyst, is making an analysis of a sample of water taken from a river between Mokihinui and Little Wanganui. The stream (says a Press Association message from Wellington) is a beautifully clear one, but the water has the effect of making every person who drinks it profoundly drowsy, and in some cases a weakness of limbs has also been felt.

THE STRONGEST WIND IN THE WORLD. Here is an interesting problem in comparisons. Captain Slocum, the American notable for his voyage round the world in an eight-ton boat, describes the wind in the Straits or Magellan as strong enough to blow the hair off a dog's back- "Christopher Crayon," writing* in the "Christian World" about the north coast of Cornwall, quotes the remark of a native that the wind in that neighbourhood was so strong that it needed twe people to hold your hair on. Problem: Is the wind at Magellan or Cornwall the stronger?

CAPTURE OF A KING. The Viennese police have captured an individual described as the King of Thieves. No less than 390 burglaries have been scored to bis account during the last few years. He affected somewhat the line of policy adopted by Robin Hood, Claude Duval, and Dick Turpin, in exhibiting traits of chivalry and' generosity. He burgled, not always with the sordid object of stealing, but from a professional pride which prompted him to overcome obstacles. The more difficult the bolts and bars, the more he desired to win his way through them. When he had succeeded he would leave a card or a written compliment to the locksmith, and go away with empty hands.

ENGINE HEROES. The Queen is raising a tombstone over the grave of the brave engine-driver who recently lost his life in driving the Royal; train. Apropos, an accident which occurred the other day shows that the race of engine heroes is not exhausted. The connecting rod of a Great Western railway locomotive broke and split open the boiler. There was a terrific explosion, and driver and fireman were in the midst of scalding water and burning cinders. Though shockingly injured they brought the train to a standstill, and only then stumbled off the footplate. Both men died shortly afterwards.

AN INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPH. The Roman correspondent of the "Kleine Zeitung" states that Mr Kennedy L. Dickson, an American engineer, has received permission to photograph the Pope with his "mutoscopc." The mutoscope is the latest rival of the kinematograph, and photographs forty pictures in one second. Mr Kennedy's experiment upon Leo XIH was made in the garden of the Vatican. The Eicture represents the Pope walking with is two secretaries, and attended by the officers of the Noble Guard, from the entrance of the garden to the villa which Leo XDX has built for himself on the tower of Leo IV. The mutoscope of the Pope is to bo exhibited in all the European capitals.

THE QUEEN'S PIPE-MAKER. The death of the Queen's "bagpipe maker, Pipe-Major Duncan McDougall, has recently taken place at Aberfeldy, in Perthshire. Mr McDougall represented the third generation of bagpipe-makers who have carried on that occupation at Perth. Fully ten years ago he was appointed pipemaker to her Majesty, ana made a beautiful set for use. in the Royal Household. He also made bagpipes for the households of the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Coburg, and the Duke of Fife. Indeed, as a maker of pipes his fame was known all over the world.

A HAND-WRITTEN BD3LE. Some men have queer hobbies, and a remarkable one is that of a Glasgow man who has spent the leisure of four years in rewriting the Scriptures. He is a compositor with a wonderful gift of turning out beautiful writing, and in the time mentioned he has managed to reach the middle of the Psalms. . In twojrears he anticipates that the concluding verse will have been written. A feature of his remarkable Bible will be its illustrations. ■ Each chapter has its artistically designed initial letter, and each book a pictorial heading illustrative of the context. The writer is a native of Dumfries, and in his boyhood days ran errands for Carlyle, to whom he regularly carried the local morning paper.

THE RESIGNATION OF INSPECTOR BROHAM. A deputation, consisting of Messrs J. Connalf R. C. Bishop (Mayor of New Brighton), A. Ayers, J. Forrester (Mayor of Sydenham), W. J. Creswell, and C- J. Marshall, waited on the Mayor of Christchurch yesterday afternoon, and presented to him the following requisition having reference to the resignation of Inspector Broham: —"We, the undersigned, being of opinion that Inspector Broham has performed his duties as Inspector of Police, in a thoroughly efficient, and satisfactory manner, and believing that his retirement would be a loss, to the colony at large, respectfully request you to call a public meeting of the citizens of Christchureh at an early date, to consider what steps should be taken with a view to retaining his services." The requisition, which was signed by about fifty influential citizens, was presented by Mr Connal, who mentioned that the shortness of time had prevented him and others from getting many more names. The members of the deputation spoke very warmly as to the efficiency of Inspector Broham as a police officer, and the esteem in which he was held as a citizen, and all were agreed that such a meeting as was suggested would be very largely attended. His Worship the Mayor said he would have much pleasure in acceding to their request, and it is announced that a public meeting will be held in ths Theatre Royal on Monday, evening*