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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1239, 3 February 1872, Page 2

With reference to the challenge sent by Mr Christie, of Otago, to Mr Walker, of the Thames, to. fire a rifle match for ,£]OOQ a side, we gather from a contemporary' thai if Mr Christie will agree to, fire in Auckland, Mr Walker is willing to have a new rifle range built, each U\ practice on it for a fortnight or so after Mr Christie's arrival, and everything to be definitely settled previous to. making a start. Jf Mr Christie so desires, Mr Walker will noo have the range built until he arrives. Mr Walker also says, that he has written to. Sydney regarding the rules disputed on the last occasion, and, tjiougli he does not say so, the arm tl at is sure to be used is Mi' Walker's favorite small bore. Mr. Walker concludes by expressing lim willingness to meet Mr Christie "on level terms, the best man to win." A wonderful take was made recently at Point du Jour, Paris. Several young men were diving in x the river, when of them discovered close to! the bank one of the enormous shells with which Prussia regaled the French during the siege. After some trouble they managed to fish it up. As it had been so long in the water they thought there would be no danger in emptying it; but lo and behold! in place of powder and petroleum, it was found to contain a sum of 1300 francs, in cold pieces* of five francs, and a letter written in German, which it was impossible tq, decipher.

A London merchant offered «£5,00Q to the Post Office authorities for the exclusive privilege of advertising on eveiy letter despatched from and rereived in the metropolis for one year—the adveitisement f;p occupy a space of not less than one half-inch outside the circumference pi" the date-stamp ? and to, be impressed at the same time. The Postmaster-General declined thg offer,