SCRAPS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 172, 14 November 1881, Page 2 (Supplement)

SCRAPS.

A series of «nme» anA outrages have lately been committed in Texas. After the sheriff had been fatally injured while endeavoring to arrest the perpetrators, the citizens formed a vigilance committee, and summarily executed eight of the outlaws. Mr. Reid, member for East Syctneyv in moving for an enquiry into the working of the land laws of New South Wales, asserted that the public estate was being sold at an unprecedented rate, and instead of being peopled with farmers- and graziers, was being turned into sheep-walks. The value of the unoccupied land at the Blackfriars end of the Thames embankment is stated on the authority of Sir Henrj Hunt, consulting surveyor of her Majesty's Office of Works, to have risen since 1870 from .£40,000 to £84,825 an acre.

Commenting on the English protectionist agitation, the New York Times says that England will hardly be foolish enough to put on the shackles which the United States are preparing to throw off. A flash of lightning recently struck the Atlantic Flourmill, at St. Louis, causing an explosion of the dust. Flames issued from every part of the building immediately, totally destroying in half-an-hour. Seventy men were working inside at the time. Many jumped from the windows to escape, and. several were fatally injured. The loss is estimated at about 200,000 dollars.

Last year, in New South Wales, 27,022 hands were employed in mills and manufactories, as against 24,564 the previous year, showing the large increase of 2458 in the number of hands employed in the free-trade colony during the year. King Alfonso of Spain is developing an administrative ability and a capacity for steady and continuous work unknown among the sovereigns of his race for a century of years, and, he has become a permanent and powerful factor in the government of the country, recognised by statesmen, aristocracy, politicians, and all grades of Spanish society. The average attendance at State/ schools is thus compared in the Victorian education report just issued : — New South Wales, 47*28 ; South Australia, 48-44; New Zealand, 5163; Queensland, 55-00 ; Victoria, 52*02.

A male eagle was shot recently in the Grampian ranges, which measured within three inches of 12 feet between the tips of each wing. The female eagle, measuring seven feet six inches, was subsequently shot, and the neat with a brood of five young one* secured.