INTERPROVINCIAL MEMS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2003, 6 October 1869, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL MEMS.

A regular, although secret, trade has sprung up in Auckland for the sale of quartz specimens for the purpose of “s.dt-ng” newly discovered reefs. A run from Richmond into Nelson was made by two velocipedists recently, and the distance of seven miles and-a-half was accomplished in fifty five minutes. From the .Star and Gaiter Hotel to the Turf Hotel, a distance 0‘ nearly three miles and-a-half, over a favorable piece of road, occupied only eighteen minutes.

A most distressing ca-c of religious monomania was brought before the Police Court at Auckland on the 16th. The affidavit of Dr Goldsbro, which is rendered necessary under the n w Act, deposed as fol ows : “ Acting under authority of the Court, I this day visited Robert. Byatt, res ding in Wellington street, and found him a lunatic. His delusions are of a religious monomania! type. He imagines that he is just arisen from death and hell, that the stars descended la t night to him, that he is now saved from damnation, and that I and the remainder of the world are condemned.” The affidavit of Dr Bayntum disclosed that the unf mtimate man, although naturally rePgious, was quoting texts of Scripture and using fearful oaths alternately. —Southern Cross. Commenting on Lieut. Saxby’s celebrated prediction, the Nelson Examiner observes “Thereis one point, however, in Mr Saxby’s letter to which we must call attention. Mr Saxby warns farmers to expect unsettled weather at periods stated by him in the months of July, August, ami September. How far these predictions were verified in Great Britain w’c cannot tell, but they have failed here. From the Bth to the 12th of July—we date from a preceding day to that named by Mr Saxby, as our time is abut twelve hours in advance of Greenwich time —the weather was remarkably fine, the barometer wind light, a little rain falling on the Bth From the Cth to the 11th of August, the weather was equally line, except on the 6th, when, with the barometer standing at 29.902, the wind at north, but Mowing moderately, there was a rainfall of 222 inches. For the remaining ‘Saxby Days,’ the wind was light, from the S.W. The period of days named by Mr Saxby in the month of September, alike belied his prognostications. Excepting on the 6th, when there was a slight shower of rain during the night, the weather throughout was remarkably fine, with little or no wind. We have mentioned these facts, not for the purpose of treating slightly Mr Saxby’s tidal phenomenon promised ns on the sth or 6th of October, but to show that his general predictions as to weather do not always hold in New Zealand.”

The Wellington correspondent of the Oamaru Times is responsible for the fidlowing:—“'Jhere is a ‘yarn’ flying about here which I may as well give you, but it must be received cum grano sails A certain elderly gentleman who has for some time been acting as odd man about the Ministers’ offices, for the ‘ consideration ’ of one guinea a day, c , and who has obtained the name of ‘ Inf-lix,’ went to his Excellency and informed him privately that a conspiracy had been entered into between the architect and the builder of Government House to defraud the Government of a sum of money. His Excellency immediately called a Cabinet Council, stated what lie had heard, and on being asked for his authority, gave it. The elderly gentleman was called before the Council and humbly ate his wor s. whereupon he was informed that his scr vices would be dispensed with at the end of this month.”

A sow bel-nging to Mr George Bailee, farmer, Eyretou, had a litter of pigs during the present week, one of which was of the following extraordinary shape. Its lu ad was slightly larger than those of the others, and it had eight perfect le.;S, two tails, and two distinct bodies as far as the shoulder,—Lyttelton Times.