News and Notes.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 4025, 30 August 1898, Page 2

News and Notes.

Whilst a party was engaged busbielling near Pioton last week they came across a human skeleton. The police visited the spot, and after spending some time in unsuccessful search for any metal or any •ther article that might give a clue to the identity of the remains took them to the police station. From appearances, death must have occurred a long time ago, as all the small bones were decayed. It is thought just possible that it may have been some escapee from the Wairau massacre, or an unfortunate of the early days lost in proceeding from Port Underwood to Picton.

A singular result has (says the Advocate) followed the recent heavy fall of snow and the frost which succeeded it in the Bangitikei district. All through the district the leaves of the tawa tree have become withered and browned, as though the trees had been killed, and at Hunter ville and further inland even the ornamenal trees are showing by similar signs that the snap was too cold for them. This has led to much speculation as to whether the New Zealand climate is becoming colder. It is argued that if occasional winter snaps have such effects upon the native fauna the temperature must have lowered considerably of late years.

Three comets— Encke's, Winneok's and Wolf's are due to return this year. The Encke was observed for the first time about 100 years ago, and it made its last appearance in 1895, when it cqnld just be seen by the naked eye.

Many persons use the phrase " in a trice " who have no conception of its meaning. A trice is the sixtieth part of a second of tune. The hour is divided jnto sixty minutes, the minute into sixty seconds, and the seconds into sixty trices or thirds.

It is stated that' there are at present building and at work in Otago about 100 gold dredges, representing an immense sum of money, the construction of which has kept the foundries busy almost nignt aad day.

Mr Fryer was the successful tenderer for the construction of the Borough stables, the contract for which was decided on Saturday.

At the Waverley Police Court on Monday, the charge of obtaining goods anil money by false pretences (value about £3) laid against T. J. Nicholls, was dismissed, the prosecutor, G. T. Dennis, stating he was satisfied the transaction was made in good faith and without any felonious intent. No evidence was offered in support oi the charge.

A private latter received in Paris from Guiana in July states that physically exCaptain Dreyfus is in fairly good health, but he has aged very much, and is bent and broken down. His mind has become seriously affected. Solving mathematical problems, hitherto his favourite pastime, no longer interests him, and lately he has hardly looked at the books periodically sent out to him by his wife. His hut is not surrounded by iron bars, as was alleged, but by a high pallisade, which completely outs off the sight of the sea, which formerly the unhappy officer would spend hours in contemplating.

Members or intending members of the Choral Society who are unable to attend the first practice are requested to forward their names to the Secretary with a suggestion as to best meeting night. Captain Edwin predicts a gale from between W. and S.W. and S. and all places southward of Napier and Ne:w Plymouth* Tenders invited for bushfalling at Mere Mere. Mr W. A Quin publishes retail prices for September. Mr J. Coxhead, Otakeho, advertises Liucoln ewes with lambs. First annual meeting of Kajupokonui Cooperative Dairy Factory Co. is convened for Monday, sth September. Chairman Manaia Town Board notifies a holiday on Wednesday, 7tfn September. Quarterly summoned meet ing of Druids to-morrow evening. About one month ago my xjhild, which is fifteen months old, had an attack of diarrhoea accompanied by vomiting. I gave it such remedies as are usually given in such cases, but as nothii lg gave relief, we sent for a physician an d it was under his care for a week. At thin time the child had been sick for about ten days and was having about twenty-five op erations of the bowels every twelve hours, and we were convinced that unless it isoon obtained relief it would not live. Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea i Remedy was recommended, and I decide a to try it. I soon noticed a change for • the better ; by its continued use a complete cure was brought about and it is now perfectly healthy. =C. L. Boggs, Stump town, Gilmer Co., W. Va. For sale at Hai .vera General Store

The subject of irregular attendance at their schools is under the consideration of the Taranaki Education Board; and also what constitutes an attendance, many children coming to school after roll call. At a meeting of the Board last week a committee submitted a report, which pointed out that under the regulations for day scholars in England (1879) an attendance is defined as follows: — "An attendance means attendance at secular instruction : (a) During an hour and a half in the case of a scholar or class for infants ; (b) During two hours in the case of a scholar in a school or in a class for older children." The circular suggested the adoption of a similar regulation in New Zealand, and that other Education Boards be asked to concur. — The report waa adopted.

The Aorere arrived at Wellington yesterday and leaves again at midday to-day.

As dancing does not seem to have lost its popularity in this distriot, the following calculation should be interesting: — An average waltz takes a dancer over about three-quarters of a mile. A girl with a well filled programme travels thus in one evening: Twelve waltzes, nine miles ; four other dances, a half a mile a-piece, which is hardly a big estimate, two miles more ; the intermission stroll and the trips to the dressing-room to renovate her gown and complexion, half a mile ; grand total, eleven and one-half-miles. But wouldn't a young lady protest if she were asked to do the same distance in a straight line.

Tenders for lease of Eotokare Reserve close with the Town Clerk to-morrow (Wednesday) at 5 p.m.