SOCIAL SUMMARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7484, 25 February 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

SOCIAL SUMMARY.

NEW ZEALAND. Canterbuet. The Registrar reports for the month of January 170 births, 67 deaths, and 33 marriages. In each, the returns compare unfavourably with January last year. The births in that month amounted to 190, the marriages to 36, and the deaths to only 40.

The valuation of the City for 1885 has just been completed by Mr Whitelaw, who gives the total as .£255,896, or .£IO,OOO less than last year. The Wards are valued as follows:—North-West Ward, .£51,868; North-East, £53,635 ; South-West, £47,661; and South-East, £92,732. It will be remembered that a few months ago we announced that Mr A. G. Howland had procured a supply of hickory nuts from the United States, and had distributed them among friends in various parts of the Colony, in order to attempt to acclimatise a useful tree. It is with con-, siderable pleasure that Mr Howland has received letters from a large number of those to whom he entrusted the nuts, stating that they have germinated, and that the young plants are healthy and vigorous. Presbyterianism has made a big spurt recently in Ashburton County, and one more church is to be added to the list of those already built or projected—viz., one at Mayfield, in the Rangitata district. Mr Twentyman gave the Presbyterians eight acres of land to build a church on, and Mr Mouldey subscribed £3O towards the building. Others have also subscribed so well that work will begin soon. The new church will be 19ft by 17ft, and Mr John Whitelaw, of Christchurch, is the architect. By order of Mr B. P. Bayley, Chief Inspector of Sheep for the Colony, Messrs R. Wilkin and Co. submitted a consignment of 20 weasels and 6 stoats to public auction on Tuesday, Jan. 27. There was a very large attendance of squatters and others, and competition was very keen. Sales were effected as follows:—20 weasels, at £3 each, to Mr E. S. Harley, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and 6 stoats to Mr Herbert Mathias at £5 5a each. A similar sale took place at Wellington last week, when 6 stoats realised £5 2s 6d each, and 20 weasels £3 10a each. Fifty-two animals thus produced £192 ss, a sum which will go a long way to recoup the cost of the whole shipment. The rest of the batch brought by the lonic will be turned loose in the back country of Canterbury and Otago. The cost to Government was £2 5s per head all round.

A man named James Fowler Plank, a cabinetmaker, who resided at Woolston, committed suicide on Saturday morning, Feb. 7. So far as can be ascertained, it appears that the deceased had been drinking for three weeks past. He went to bed on Friday night about 10 o'clock, and rose shortly before 8 a.m. on Saturday. Shortly after he had breakfasted his wife noticed that he was sick, and advised him to -lie down. He then told her that he had taken something, and if she would look on the shelf in the shop she would find what it was. On her again asking him what it was he replied that he had poisoned himself. The "something" he had swallowed proved to be bichromate of potash, a preparation used for staining wood, and for the carbon electric battery. Mrs Plank administered an emetic to her husband, and at once sent for Dr Hunt, but before he arrived the poison had done its work, and the unfortunate man had succumbed to its effects. An inquest was held on Feb. 9, when a verdict of " Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity" was returned.

J. W. Crabtree, who recently received a long sentence at Christchurch for horsestealing, about 4 o'clock on Tuesday, Feb. 17, made a most determined attempt to escape from custody at Lyttelton. Another prisoner, Michael Higgins, who was working in the same gang as Crabtree at the reclamation work at Sticking Point, accidentally hurt his foot, and the attention of the warders was for a time distracted to his injuries. Crabtree got his boots off, ran up the bank on this side of Sticking Point, and getting a good start, ran along the Sumner road, stripping off his clothes as he went. After a hot chase, during which the man was fired at and missed by Warder Gilchrist, he" was captured at the bottom of a precipitous bank about 20ft high, down which he had jumped. He was completely exhausted with his wild run, and had he kept to the road instead of going down hill immediately after passing Sticking Point, he might, with the start of two or three hundred yards which he seems to have got, have led his pursuers a longer chase. He was captured down by the water's edge, about a mile from Sticking Point, and past the deep bay next to the point. Crabtree was not much hurt, being merely bruised, and by five o'clock had recovered sufficiently to walk back to the prison with support from two warders. Several of the Naval Artillery corps turned out to assist in the chase. Sergeant-Major Mason and the whole of ■ the Lyttelton police were out after the runaway, and seven constables were also sent from Christchurch to watch the hills on this side.

The polling on Friday, Jan. 23j on trie proposal to borrow .£25,000 to be expended on permanent works in the city, resulted in the scheme being carried by a very large majority; 2108 votes were recorded in favour of it, and 183 against it. The informal papers numbered 35. A monument is to be erected over the grave of the late Mounted Constable Cartmill by his comrades in the police force and the inhabitants of the Malvern district, where he was stationed at the time of the accident which caused his death, and where he was generally liked and respected. A man, name unknown, was drowned while attempting to swim Tekapo Elver, near its outlet from Lata Tekapo, Mackenzie Country, on Sunday, Feb. 1. From intelligence to hand, it would appear he attempted it out of bravado. There is a bridge just above. The body has not been recovered.

At the Magistrate's Court, Eangiora, on Feb. 13, before Mr Ivory, the Mayor, and Mr Blackett, John Whiteside was brought up on remand, charged with attempting to take his life by cutting his throat. On the application of his wife a prohibition order was issued against him, and he was ordered to pay 24s expenses. He was then discharged with a caution. Mr Smith, Stationmaster at Kirwee, left on Feb. 17 for JTairlie Creek to occupy a similar position there. As the train was about leaving, Captain Tosswill made a short speech, expressing regret at Mr Smith's departure from the district, and eulogising his attentive and obliging manner to the public during his four years of office. He then presented him with a purse of sovereigns, which were collected on Monday and Tuesday, the residents not being previously aware of Mr Smith's removal. Mr C. J. Denby, of Springston, succeeds Mr Smith as Stationmaster.

On Thursday, Jan. 22, between 60 and 70 Ashburton gentlemen sat down to a dinner, prepared in the style characteristic of the host of the Commercial, given in honour of Mr S. S. Revans, and by way of a leavetaking to that gentleman. Mr Revans had been for some six years in Ashburton, during which time he had had tho management of the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand. The Mayor of Ashburton occupied the chair ; he was supported on the right by the guest of the evening, Mr Revans, and others, and on the left by Mr Embling, Bank Inspector, Mr Joseph Ward, and several other gentlemen. At Rangiora, shortly before i o'clock on Friday morning, Feb. 6, a man named John Whiteside made an" attempt to take his life by cutting his throat. The instrument used was an old tableknife, and fortunately it was too blunt for the purpose intended, so that, although the foolish man succeeded in inflicting a large gash, it was not deep enough to prove fatal. Dr Downes stitched up the wound, and the sufferer was taken in charge v by the police, and sent to Addington by the mid-day train for medical treatment. This is the second time the man has attempted suicide, and, as on the previous occasion, excessive.drinking led to the act.

A very painful sensation was caused in Tiinaru on Thursday, Feb. s,when it became generally known that Mrs Olive Kay, of Heaton street, wife of a labourer, had committed Buicide by cutting her throat with a razor. Deceased, who was about 45 years old, had been for a long time ailing, and it is generally considered that this had had an injurious effeci upon her mind. In the about 7 o'clock, she obtained from one of her younger children a razor wherewith to pare her toe-nails, and about half-past 9, a peculiar noise in her room attracted the attention of the other inmates of the house. Rushing in, they were horrified to find Mrs Kay bathed in blood, with a fearful gash in her throat, the razor 'lying beside her in the bed. When a medical man arrived, some two hours after, she was dead, and, on examination, it appeared that the wind-pipe had been completely severed. At the inquest on Friday, Feb. 6, the jury returned fa verdict of,:"Suicide, while of unsound mind." The medical evidence showed that deceased had suffered from old-standing liver disease.

A largely attended meeting was held on Thursday evening, Feb. 12, at the West Oxford side school, for the purpose of presenting the teacher, Miss M. M. Eeston, with a gold lever watch and a sum of money subscribed by the immediate residents of the school, as a token of their recognition of the most efficient conduct of the school under that lady's charge. The proceedings began with a splendid tea, provided gratuitously by the ladies connected with,the school. After the visitors had done full justice to the repast, the public meeting commenced. The Chairman of the School Committee presided, and, in making the presentation, expressed satisfaction of the Committee with the admirable manner in which the teacher had fulfilled her duties under considerable disadvantages, and expressed a hope that she would soon be able to obtain the assistance of a pupil teacher, in consequence of the increasing number of scholars. Miss Eeston returned thanks for the present in a neat speech, expressing her gratification that her efforts had been so successful, and that she had given satisfaction, both to the Committee and also to the parents of the children. A very pleasant little ceremony, unique in the hwtory of the Lyttelton Times Office, as it at present exists, took place on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 7. At 2 o'clock the whole of the staff assembled in the large composing-room, the object of the gathering being to "congratulate " Mr W. P. Reeves on his approaching marriage. A more detailed description of the congratulation, which took the form of a present from the united staff of the office, is given below. The presentation was made, on behalf of the donors by Mr E. A. Loughnan, the editor of the Lyttelton Times. Mr Loughnan, in a humorous and appropriate speech, informed Mr Eeeves of the circumstance which had given rise to the meeting, and tendered him the good wishes of those present for his future success and prosperity. Mr Eeeves expressed his great pleasure and surprise at the gift, and feelingly thanked the donors for their present. Several toasts having been proposed and suitably acknowledged, the proceedings terminated. By common consent, the articles chosen for the present were declared to be perfect of their kind. They were, a claret jug and salver, in sterling silver, manufactured by Messrs Coates and Co. The claret jug is an admirable specimen of one of the best Etruscan models, most graceful in outline, and yet presenting an unmistakeable appearance of solidity.' The burnished style of work was selected. -This is relieved by a broad medallion band round the shoulder, and a lanceolated decoration corresponding therewith at the springing of the vase portion from the base. A few beaded lines are also included. The handle, boldly curved, is kept as simple in form as possible. Upon the plain burnished surface of the vase is placed the crest of the recipient, and the following inscription :—" Presented to W. P. Reeves, Esq., by the united staff of the Lyttelton Times Company, on the occasion of his marriage, Feb. 10, 1885." The salver was manufactured at the same time with the jug, and matches it in every detail of the admitted ornamentation. For each article a case of polished wood is provided. The workmanship throughout proved to be eminently satisfactory, and it is only due to Messrs Coates and Co. to say that the genuineness of the local manufacture is unimpeachable, since the Selection Committee saw the articles in the various stages of their production. The salver varies from the stereotyped circular form, and is, so far as can be ascertained, the only locally manufactured example of this distinct branch of the silversmiths' art in the Colony

The Hon A. T. Stuart, Premier of New South Wales, recently paid a visit to Christcburch, and during his stay inspected the various public institutions. Two Salvation Army officers from Waimate, who had been fourteen days in gaol at Timaru for non-payment of fines, were released on Feb. 11, and were carried round the town in a trap. Several horsemen in complete scarlet costume followed, the drum and fife band accompanying them. The feast of St Valentine was observed on Saturday, Feb. 14, in the orthodox fashion, to the pleasure, doubtless, of some thousands of youths and maidens, and to the benefit of the postal revenue, if not altogether to the satisfaction of the officials who had the work of sorting and stamping the large amount of extra correspondence which passed through their hands. Altogether about 8000 valentines were sent through the Christchurch Post-office, a number which, though certainly large, is less than that of some previous years. It turns out that the report of the murder of Bedingfield, the Salvationist, was incorrect. He was, however, badly hurt, as will be seen from the following passage in a letter received from her husband by Mrs Bedingfield, who is now in Dunedin :—" I have been seriously hurt, but am all right again now. We were holding an open-air meeting in front of a saloon or hotel, when the proprietor came out and offered me two glasses of beer. Of course he meant it as an insult, and I pushed them (the glasses of beer) away. One of the glasses fell out of his hand, and he threw the rest in my face, and told me he would have me out of that somehow. Then he went into the house and threw some dirty slops oyer me from an upstairs window. Shortly after that I went down on my knees to pray for him, and he threw a big, heavy pickle-keg, bound with iron hoops, on me. Well, it knocked me senseless, and I did not remember anything more after that. Concussion of the brain set in, and I was insensible for twenty-seven hours. However, lam well again, and leading meetings. The people here raised a mob, and were going to hang the saloonkeeper if I died. They bought thirty-five yards of rope, and frightened him pretty well out of his wits. lam not going to prosecute him." A subscription is being started in Dunedin to send Bedingfield's wife to him. After his escapade he was received into the Salvation ranks once more, and sent to California, to give him an opportunity by good work to regain the confidence of the Army. Sir John Hall's annual treat to the children of Hororata, and their friends, took place at his homestead last week. The weather. being fine, a most enjoyable day was spent. From 11 o'clock a, steady stream of visitors set in, till upwards of 200 bad assembled in the plantation, where every preparation had been made for their reception. They amused themselves, some with various games, others in wandering through the extensive grounds, till 1 o'clock, when all assembled at the sound of the gong for luncheon. During the afternoon, a varied programme of races and sports took place in the paddock adjoining, which had been carefully mown for the purpose. The various events were well contested, and provided amusement for all till 5 o'clock, when' the children's tea toot place. Leaving the jhildren to their own amusementa, and the enjoyment of the numerous swings erected, the elders then adjourned to the house, where upwards of 80 sat down to a substantial tea, which was laid in a large tent on the lawn. At 7 o'clock all assembled on the lawn for the distribution of prizes,

a large and useful collection of which had been provided, consisting of work-boxes, albums, bags> baskets, &c, for the girls, and cricket bats, cricket balls, draught boards, knives, &c, for the boys. The Rev Mr Bean having addressed a few earnest word? of advice to those assembled, distributed the allotted prizes to the winners. Next came the fun of the evening, in the drawing from the lucky bag a varied assortment of goods and toys, every child who had not won a prize receiving a numbered ticket, and drawing from the bag. the article with the corresponding number. At the conclusion of the prize distribution, Mr Maffey called for three cheers for Sir' John and Lady Hall, and Mr and Mrs Fountaine, which were most heartily responded to. The Hororata Brass Band were present during the day, and played selections of music at intervals. "Westland. There were 53 applications for the Secretaryship of the Westport Harbour Board. Mr Greenland, late of the Public Warks Office, Greymouth, was appomted. On Jan. 25, about 10 o'clock, a fatal accident occurred to Mr J. C. Frew, a well known Civil Engineer. He called at Glass' farm, at Kokotahi, and, saying there were wild ducks in a creek ntear, borrowed a double-barrelled gun. Shortly afterwards a report was heard, and Frew was found with his face frightfully shattered. He was taken to the Hospital, but died after a few hours. Deceased was much liked, and , is universally regretted. Otago. The total cost of the new High School, Dunedin, is about ,£IB,OOO. The Evening Herald has been purchased by Messrs Bracken, Bathgate and Melland. Edwin O'Berry committed suicide at South Dunedin by hanging himself, owing to his wife's infidelity. He was 50 years of age. The Otago Daily Times says that the Hon W. J. M. Larnach will be called to the tipper House before the beginning of the session.

On Feb. 6 3000 bushels of oats and a threshing mill on Greenfield Station were wholly destroyed by fire. They were uninsured.

At Cromwell, on Jan. 21, Joseph Eeston, a miner, and old resident of the district, committed suicide by shooting himself through the head. He was a single man. Captain Charles Fraser, who had commanded the steamers Stormbird, "Wanganui, Star of the South, Oreti, and others, died on Feb. 8. He had been ailing for some time past. In several of the City churches on Feb. 15 reference was made to General Gordon's death. Mr "Waddell preached the principal sermon on the subject at St Andrew's. St Matthew's was draped in black.

At the inquest on Ebenezer Brown, the fireman who died after falling from his engine, the evidence threw no light on the cause of his fall. He was sober. A verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned. He was a young married man. A man named Hall, a recent arrival from Victoria, was found dead with his throat cut in Godhard's Hotel, Oamaru, on Jan. 22. He is said to have been in affluent circumstances, and was returning from a visit to a friend in the interior.

At Teviot Station, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Mr James Isbister, a partner in a contract for ploughing, committed suicide by hanging himself. Deceased had latterly been low spirited, as if (a witness at the inquest stated) he were dissatisfied with his team of horses. A verdict of " Suicide by hanging " was returned. A fierce whirlwind was experienced on the Papakaio Plain on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The wind lifted the roof off a blacksmith's shop, overthrew two threshing mills, leaving one with its wheels in the air; knocked down trees, and levelled everything that stood in its way. The area it passed over was, fortunately, not large. The New Zealand Shipping Company's Aorangi, with the first mail from Home, under contract with the New Zealand Government, anchored off Port Chalmers Heads at 2.30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, after a magnificent passage from Plymouth, the actual steaming time occupied being 38 days 19 hours, the fastest run on record. The mail bore date London Dec. 19.

A fireman named Ebenezer Brown fell off his train near Goodwood on Feb. 14. He fras brought on to town and taken to the Hospital, -where he died last night. " The annual report of the Benevolent Institute shows that 2215 persons were relieved, or an increase of 392 on the previous year. The total expenses in charity were £7868 17s lid, and total receipts £8979195, of which £3411 14s was voluntarily subscribed.

His Excellency the Governor opened the new Boys' High School on Feb. 11. There was an imposing ceremony. Amongst the speakers were the Eev Dr Stuart, Mr Macandrew, M.H.E., and Dr Macdonald, the Eector. In acknowledging the vote of thanks, His Excellency referred in feeling terms to the death of General Gordon, who had been a personal friend of his. A more pure, generous, noble-minded man than Gordon, never lived. He was a pattern to the rising generation. The Premier of New South Wales and party had a narrow escape from a serious buggy accident during their Wakatipu tour. Mr, Mrs and Miss Stuart, with Mr Forrester, also from New South Wales, were driving down a mountain gorge when one horse kicked and both horses bolted. The road was narrow and dangerous, and the vehicle swerved- within twelve inches of the precipice at the side. The driver lost presence of mind and control of the horses, when Mr Forrester seized the reins and succeeded in guiding the horses to the bottom of the hill and stopping them. All the party returned to Queenstown on foot.

An accident of a peculiar nature happened to a lad named M'Laren, of Albertown. While employed penning sheep in the.Wanaka woolshed, he had found some (dynamite caps somewhere, and not knowing what they were, he carried a few in his vest pocket, while he had one dangling as an ornament from his watch chain. In jumping a fence, an explosion occurred, wounding . him in the right thigh, and lacerating his ear, which noled profusely. He thought he had been shot, and no little consternation for a time prevailed. It being breakfast-time, a hasty search was made round the shed for the supposed miscreant, who, of course, could not be found, but a dynamite cap was picked up on the woolshed floor, thereby revealing the cause of the explosion. Happily the lad's wounds are not of a serious, nature. This is but another instance of the folly of leaving dangerous explosives lying about. Had proper care been taken the boy could not haveJound them. Southland.

A distressing boat accident occurred on Saturday, Feb. 14, in Invercargill Harbour, by which three lives were lost. A pleasure boat was on the homeward run up the harbour when it capsized, and Tom F. Rowlands, George Dun, and his sister Mary, a girl of thirteen, were drowned. Peter Gilkison, J. Flemings; and Gilkis Miller, owner of the boat, were saved by clinging to the mast, and Margaret Dun was picked up supported by an oar. Rowland was a young married man, much respected, and leaves a young wiiow and two children. Dun was 20 years of age and a clerk in the Colonial Bank, to which he had lately been transferred from Gore. He was also a youth of great promise, and exemplary character. His father is at present on a visit to Scotland. None of the men were expert in handling a boat. The boat turned over within a few dozen yards of a sand bank, which those drowned failed to reach, although fair swimmers. To-day a large fleet of boats was out from daybreak searching, without success, for the bodies. The occurrence created a painful sensation in town, and was referred to in church to-day. It is reported that Miss Dun, who was saved, is in a precarious state. A new chum had an experience of Colonial life a few days ago, which he will not easily forget. He arrived at Invercargill some five months ago, and has since been working as engine-driver in a sawmill in the Seaward Bush. He left Kennington, One Tree Point, on Tuesday evening, Feb. 3, intending to make a straight cut through the bush for the mill. Night came on. He camped- down,- and in - the morning resumed his journey. All that day, and for five subsequent days, he kept moving. Just as he was about ex-, hausted he came out at Seaward Bush township, called at a settler's house, and obtained a little food. He hails from Ayrshire, says the News, and his endurance for so long a time speaks well for his stamina. He stated that he had not been able to get even a drink of water in the bush. From this it may be inferred that he did what is so frequently done by per-1 sons lost in the bush and unprovided with a compass—walked in a circle the whole

time. He tried, he says, to appease his hunger by eating some plant he ■ found in the forest, but its effects were drastic, and rather increased his weakness. In the course of a conversation he remarked that it would be a long time ere he tried to make a short cut in this country. Nelson. . The valuation for the city of Nelson shows an increase of £4069 over last year. P.P.G.M. C. P. Kearns, the oldest Oddfellow in New Zealand, died at Stoke on Feb. 2, aged 68. He had been an Oddfellow over 50 years, and assisted to start the Order in Nelson forty-three years ago. Paroquets are becoming a very serious pest in the Nelson agricultural districts. The Waimea crops are suffering great damage, the paroquets being so numerous that a dozen can be knocked over with a Bingle shot. Marlbobough. On Feb. 7 John Gill, head shepherd on Clarence run, fell down a precipice and fractured his skull. His recovery is doubtful. The house of John Harlett, sen., Kaikoura, was destroyed by fire on Feb. 9. The inmates had little time to escape. The building.was insured for .£3OO in the New Zealand Office. Wellington. I The Colonial Mutual Insurance Society have issued a policy of ,£IOO on the life ofTeWhiti. A ladies' branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been j established in Wellington. The body of Henry Lloyd, who was buried in a fall of earth at Pukerua tunnel, was discovered on Jan. 24. The three bodies have now been recovered.

A painter named John Stafford White, aged 75, committed suicide on Feb. 1 by hanging himself. It is believed that domestic troubles and drink led to the rash act.

On Feb. 15 while Mr Nathan, merchant, and his daughter, .11 .years old, were driving in a buggy, the horse bolted, upsetting the vehicle, which fell on Mr Nathan and child. The former received a slight concussion and scalp wound, and the girl sustained a double fracture of the right thigh, severe bruises, and a shock to the nervous system. The sufferers are progressing favourably. At the inquest on the body of Mairteo Panzadetti, killed by the fall of earth at Pukerua tunnel, the evidence showed that every precaution was taken during the progress of the work. ' An opinion was expressed that the earthquake which was felt previous to the accident might have something to do with it. A verdict was returned that deceased met his death by a fall of earth, but that there was no evidence to show how the fall was caused.

About 3.30 p.m. on Feb. 14 a fatal accident occurred in Wellington Harbour. Four men went out in the yacht Diamond, and while off Oriental Bay the boat accidentally capsized, and Alfred TJrwin, one of the occupants, was drowned. He was about 18 years of age, and was assistant clerk in the New Zealand Times office. A passing boat went to the rescue, and succeeded in picking up the other three occupants. Urwin's body has not yet been recovered,

i Applications for space at the Industrial Exhibition are already coming in fast; and up to the present 3000 ft have been applied for. The Fine Art Society propose to» hold an art exhibition in connection with' this Exhibition. Mr Hooker, a gentleman who is connected with one of the forest divisions in India, has arrived in Wellington, and brings letters of credit to His Excellency the Governor from the Governor of Madras. Mr Hooker visits Christchurch to interview Sir William Jervois, and then proceeds to Auckland' to inspect the kauri forests. Eeference to the death of General Gordon.' was made in St Peter's Church and the Wesleyan Church on Feb. 15 by the Ven< Archdeacon Stock and the Eev Mr Baumber. Both drew graphic pictures of thehonourable career of the dead warrior, and dwelt at length on the many valuablelessons which were to be learned from thestudy of so noble a life. Wangantti. Jan. 22, being Anniversary Day, waskept a close holiday. The Caledonian sports were well attended, over 2000 persona being present. At the last Government parade, Volunteer Churtoii, the rifle champion, was pre- - sented with the National Rifle Association's - medal, and his rifle was purchased by the corps from the Government. A carpenter named James Harvey was drownedon Sunday, Feb. 15, in Fleetwood's; Creek. He was bathing with a man named Nicholson: The latter swam down, thecreek «», few yards, and on coming back he saw Harvey's hands sticking up. He made an attempt to save him, but was unsuccessful.

I The body of -an infant was found. on Jan. 29 in a jar at the back of Mr Loasby's premises in Victoria Avenue- - If appears to have been there a long time. The body has been examined by Dr Earle. It is his opinion that the child had breathed. - It now weighs 51b, and ha» been preserved to all appearances for about two years. Tabanaki. . Rupert Jacomb, Inspector of Nuisances and Poundkeeper at Patea, attempted t» commit suicide on Feb. 6 by cutting hi* throat. He is now in the Hospital, and is expected to recover. It is estimated that 1000 kegs of butter have been exported from New Plymouth this month, and 500 from Waitara. The export of butter this season is calculated, at the present price, to be £30,000, or a third more than last year. A Maori named Kiri was committed on Jan. 22 to the Lunatic Asylum. He is a Parihaka Native, and his hallucination was of such a nature as to make Te Whiti jealous. He declared that he was appointed by God to rule the Natives; that he had power to kill all wicked people, both Europeans and Maoris. Te Whiti did not like this attempted usurpation of his authority* and was the means of having Kid sent to the Asylum. Hawke's Bat. A woman named Ann Mary Packer was on Jan. 23 charged at Ormondvflle with manslaughter for rough treatment of the child of Mr John Bell at birth a few weeks previous. Prisoner was committed for trial. Bail was allowed, herself in, £loo' and one surety of like amount. The Napier auctioneers all quote lowezprices than last year for sheep sold at the ram fair held during last month,, partly owing to the large numbers yarded,, and partly, no doubt, to the continued depression in the wool'market. The highest price given was 51 guineas for one of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company?* Lincolns. . The average prices of the Company's stud rams were £ls lGs Bd, and for the flock rams £5 9s 6d. The next highest* prices were 41 and 36 guineas, given ior two of Mr Tanner's Lincolns. The average of Mr Peel's rams were :—For stud Lincolns, £9 15s; flock, Lincolns, £9 15s Romney Marsh, £5 2s. The market for merinos was very depressed, no .prices worth quoting being realised. Southern men (says the Hawke's ,Bay Herald) when,they are told of the fertility -of Hawke's Bay, and the stock-carrying; capacity of its" soil, somotantesloolc incredulous, or hint that their informant has been hoaxed. Well, here are the actual returns for one property, last year. The runcorir sists of 5000 acres, of which 2000 acres are hilly and the balance flat. The actual area under occupation by stock during the year was about 4500 acres, the balance being devoted to other purposes, or newlyploughed land. The stock carried consisted of 24,000 sheep, 1100 head of cattle, and 160 horses, and that it was in no way overstocked is proved by the fact thjjfc over 20,000 sheep and 250 head of cattle were fattened and sold during the year, and that 1000 acres of grass were cut and threshed, the seed being sold. Part o£ the land will carry ten sheep to the acre. Auckland. The annual accounts of the Harbour Board show a net revenue of £41,682. The increase in the eity valuation fon 1885 is £37,688, a larger amount than in any previous year. Mr Booth closed his City Temperance . Mission on Feb. 9. There was a crowded meeting, and 3169 new pledges w«re taken. He leaves for the lake country. The body of John Buckett, a gum digger?, was found in Northern Wairoa River q* Feb. 10. At the inquest, a verdict of " Accidentally drowned" was returned. Harry Martin, son of Albin Martin, who went out shooting on Feb. 5, was found 1 shot dead in a swamp. The trigger of the gun had apparently caught in a wire fence.

Charles Murray's general store at Whitianga, Mercury Bay, was burned down on Feb. 2. Insurances—Stock and furniture, £350 j building, £250, in the SouthBritish. The Aucklatad Savings Bank balancesheet shows that the amount of money to the credit of depositors on Dec. 31,1884, was £313,168. The number of depositors increased from 7647 to 9751.

Mr R. T."» Booth opened a temperance mission- on Jan. 22, at the Theatre Royal. The building was crowded to excess. Two hundred took the pledge and blue ribbon at the close of the meeting. Over 2000 have since been added to the list. As an instance of the value of land in the Bay of Plenty district, several farms which Ijave recently changed hands at Te Puke realised good prices; in one ease £9 per acre and in another £6 10s. This is by no means a bad price for the present time when money is so difficult to move. The products of the Auckland Tobacco Company are meeting with very great favour. Several brands of their goods have been placed on the southern markets, and they seem to give general satisfaction. The Auckland Star says Sir G. W. Des Vceux took 400 cigars of the "Cupido" brand for use on the way to England, expressing his opinion that they were the best cigars he had smoked hi the* Colony. Te Wheoro is urging the King Natives not to seek redress for their grievances at the hands of the Colonial Government. The Home Government,, he says, will give redress, and if, after six months' grace, the Colonial Government refuses to do its duty in the matter, Mr Gorst would be sent out as a. Royal Commissioner, and the whole management, of Native affairs will be placed, inJiis hands. 'The schooner Aurora has arrived from Samoa. She brings newß to the effect that the Germans are exceedingly annoyed at the action of King Malietoa, with reference to his petition to the British Government, and it is reported that they are fomenting a movement to depose him in favour of the vice-King Tameae, who is more favourable to German interestsWhen the Aurora left, Webber, a Germanmerchant, Tamese, and several of the chiefs were holding a conference on the subject. No open hostility has been Bhown* towards the King. • .1

An allotment having 20 feet frontage to Queen Street was on Feb. 11 sold by auction for £6700 or .£305 per foot. Cole's property in Queen street, was sold on Feb. 11 for .£335 per foot. Mi- Haslett, chemist, was the purchaser. Trinity Church, Maungatoroto, was burnt down en Feb 10. Nothing is known as yet as to the origin of the fire. Matthew Wallace's homestead at Hunia was destroyed by fire on Feb. 9. It was insured for .£250 in the South British. A saddler named North had his foot cut off by a tram car on Feb. 9. This is the first accident on the Auckland tramway. The tobacco crop in the Bay of Plenty district generally is looking well. Notably at Katikati, and the growers anticipate a good yield. A dead body found in the Waikato river is supposed to be that of Syde, the engineer of the steamer Rangiriri, who was drowned seven weeks ago. At Kaino, a town in Auckland, one man cairied another, attired in the full dress of the Adamite era, on his back across the street. The feat was the result of a bet of course. The local policeman saw the performance, and at once laid an information. If proven the man will have to go to prison without the alternative of a fine. Intelligence by mail from Tonga states that the long-talked of secession from the Wesleyan Church has taken place. It is claimed that adherents of the Wesleyan Church, including one European minister, 12 ordained Native ministers, 800 local preachers, 600 school teachers, 600 leaders, and upwards of 5000 members, are among the seceders, and have joined the Free Church of Tonga. The Hon J. Ballance met Tawhiao at Whatiwhatihoe recently; 500 Natives were present. Tawhiao agreed to the on eondition he was allowed the management of Native affairs generally in the King Country. Mr Ballance said there could only be one Government in New Zealand. Before leaving he invited Tawhiao and Te Wheoro to Wellington next session, to talk over matters concerning the Native race. The Kingite natives at Whatiwhatihoe have been holding a series of religious meetings. The desirableness of abandoning the Hau Hau superstition has been generally affirmed, but what Christian form of religion shall take its place, seems not to be so easy of determination. All are agreed that the form of religion fixed upon shall embody in it Blue Ribbon principles as one of its chief characteristics. Recently a ewe in Mr Howell's flock, Waianiwa, gave birth to a most peculiarly shaped ram lamb. It was about twice the ■weight of an ordinary lamb, and except on the neck was covered with a kind of brown hair. It had no head bones, and the ears, ■which were long and covered with silky hair, were close together and turned towards each other, and so ended the neck. Its legs were turned the wrong way, and were strangely jointed. Considering the want of a mouth it is perhaps not to be wondered at that the ewe had no sign of milk.

The capture of Sheehan, for the Castletown Roche murder, Ireland, writes the Auckland correspondent of a Southern paper, reflects the highest crediton the local police, as all they had to work on was a ■very indifferent personal description, and the conjecture that Sheehan came here in the Doric fifteen months previously. When the police had traced up the matter ■ufficiently to be satisfied that Sheehan did come out in the Doric, and had ascertained his whereabouts, the way in which he was "shadowed" by Detective Walker would have' done credit to Vidocq. The residence of Sheehan in Auckland was a two-roomed shanty (though he had .£3OO to his credit at the Bank) on the edge of a secluded gully in a western suburb, giving space enough between the ground and the flooring .for a man to lie lengthways underneath. There, night after night, lay the astute detective, patiently waiting for a clue, or till matters were sufficiently ripe to warrant the putting in force the provisional warrant. Occasionally, when Sheehan had a friend visiting him to chat over affairs in Ireland, Detective Walker was regaled overhead with' stories of Fenian outrages, boycotting expeditions, and murders, till " it took him all his time to keep his hair on." II mattered little whether Sheehan was " lumping " on the wharf, doing earting, acting as handy man at any place of business, reading the "Wanteds" on a newspaper board on the look out for a job, or away in the Waikomiti wilds at his recently purchased Bush Farm—the irrepressible Walker, like a guardian angel, wa& in Sheehan's vicinity, and for two long Months never raised a flicker of suspicion in Sfceehan's breast that he was being "shadowed." Superintendent Thompson has every reason to be pleased with the way in which the case has been managed, considering how little real assistance and information has been given by the Irish police authorities —the Auckland police to this hour being utterly ignorant both as to the route and the vessel taken by the Irish detective, stated to be en route to New Zealand with a warrant for the apprehension of Sheehan. He has been brought before the Magistrate and remanded. Superintendent Thomson informed his Worship that he had received a duplicate copy of the original warrant, signed Sept. 2, 1884, by R. Allon, Magistrate and Justice of County Cork, Ireland, bearing the seal of the Secretary of the Home Department. He expected an officer to arrive in Wellington in a fortnight. AUSTRALIA. Victoria. The bootmakers' strike is now practically ended. The new postal system is a great success, and is already used largely. Dr Lendenfeld has discovered a glacier on Mount Kosciusko, in the Australian Alps. Obituary—Dr Davey, of Malmesbury, Victoria, inventor of the telegraphic relay system. At a benefit given to Nathan, the well known Australian boxer, at the Victoria Hall, Melbourne, on Jan. 17, Professor Miller lifted -Jcwt with his left hand forty times in succession.

Harvest reports in Victoria continue to be highly satisfactory. The potato crop at Warmambool promises a very large yield, and it is expected that there will be quite 35,000 tons for export. An accident, similar to that which occurred a short time since in Flinders lane, has taken place in Elizabeth street. The builders of some new premises undermined the foundations of an adjacent house, which totally collapsed. A serious fire occurred at Brunswick, the residence cf the late Hon T. J. Sumner : the damages, are estimated at .£IO,OOO. The house and furniture were insured in the Commercial Union Assurance Company to the extent of £5650.

The operative bootmakers of Ballarat, after conferring with the Melbourne Bootmakers' Union, demanded a modification of terms from the manufacturers. The latter having refused their demand, the lock-out has been renewed.

At a civic entertainment, Mr Froude responded to the toast of " Literature." He referred to the very cordial manner in which he had been received. He spoke of literary men in other countries than England holding the highest position in the State.

A meeting of youths was held in Melbourne on Jan. 19, to initiate a youths' running championship. After some discussion, it was resolved that there should he two sections, the long distance and short distance —.the distances for the former to be half a mile, one mile, and five miles; for the other 100 yards, 200 yards, and 300 yards. Also that the competition be confined to youths under 21, and that the amount of the sweepstakes be one guinea each. Five competitors have entered for the long distance event, and seven for the,Bttoz*.

Mr Ormond has given .£20,000 ,io found a College of Music in Melbourne, and to endow three scholarships. Mr Castieau, late Inspector of Penal Establishments, and Mr John Cosgrove, City Treasurer, are dead. Power, the bushranger, has been released from Pentridge after serving a sentence of fifteen years. He is now 65 years old.

A Melbourne Rotten Row has been establised in Albert Park. It is patronised by the Governor, and is becoming a fashionable resort.

Replying to a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 28, Mr Service promised to promote reciprocal freetrade to the utmost. A fire occurred on Jan. 29 at Brunswick, and resulted in the total destruction of the residence of the late Hon Mr Sumner. The damage is estimated at .£BOOO. The Melbourne Presbytery resolved to take steps to pretest against the French annexation of the New Hebrides, not for political reasons, but on account of the mission and missionaries there.

The body of the late Joseph Bragge Slack has been exhumed, and it was discovered he had been strangled. Barnes, who confessed murdering him, awaits his trial. The evidence is very strong against him.

A peculiar and fatal disease has broken out among the cattle in the You Yangs district, Victoria. It is believed to be a %rin of anthrax or blood poisoning, induced by drinking water polluted by carcases of poisoned rabbits. The disease is assuming serious proportions. The Hon R. C. Baker, Minister of Public Works for South Australia, is now in Melbourne. He proposes, in view of the termination of the present postal contract that South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales should take united action to get rid of the heavy subsidy at present paid by each Colony in connection with the English mail arrangement. .

A new scheme has been proposed in Victoria for the extermination of rabbits. The course adopted is to fence all water holes with rabbit-proof fencing, leaving a small supply outside to accustom the vermin to a drinking place, and then poison the water. The latter scheme has been tried with great success. Fifteen hundred rabbits were poisoned in two days in this manner.

Mr Service, Premier, has presented a memorandum to the Governor, in which he expresses disappointment at the Colonies' connection with affairs in New Guinea. He contends that the Colonies should have the limits of their responsibility strictly denned, or else be allowed to exercise control over the expenditure in New Guinea. He adds that his Government is not prepared to increase the J>15,000 guaranteed without further information.

A large meeting of employers of labour was held on Feb. 2, to express sympathy with the boot manufacturers. Through their having to bear the brunt of unreasonable opposition, the united trades of the Colony decided to give expression to their sympathy in a practical way. The Chairman gave J>so, and a similar donation was promised during the evening. In the event of the failure of the arbitrators, it was suggested that 1200 operatives be sent from England. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce held a meeting for the same purpose, when a proposal was made to form a Union for employers of labour, but it was not carried.

Wyndham Jones, a lad aged 16, was bitten by a snake, at Camperdown, in Victoria. He and a younger brother were getting wood in a paddock near the township, and seeing a rabbit in a hole at the root of a tree, they endeavoured to get it out. Wyndham put in his hand for this purpose, and was immediately seized on two fingers by a snake. The lad shook off the reptile, and placing his hand on a log, ordered his brother to chop off the two bitten fingers, which he promptly did. The boy then went to a doctor and got the wound dressed. The lad recovered from the effects of the bite, as he deserved to do. Mr Blackburne, the great chesß flayer, who has just come out on a visit to the Colonies, occupied the position of defendant in a case at the Port Melbourne Police Court recently. During the voyage out, on board the s.s. Kildare, his birthday was celebrated on Dec. 10, and the company was very hilarious and happy until an unfortunate subject of dissension arose over a difference on a religious topic. Mr Blackburne and a Mr Samuel Crocker were the disputants, and heated words ensued. After the plaintiff had retired to his cabin, the defendant came in and struck him violently about the face, so much so as to disfigure him greatly. Mr Grylls appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr M'Kean for the defence. After considerable evidence had been taken on both sides, the Bench, weighing the matter briefly, came to the conclusion that Blackburne was in the wrong, and fined him £o, with £3 3s costs; in default of payment, 14 days' imprisonment.

The harvest (says the Melbourne Leader) is near a close, even in the latest districts, where the crops are generally good, although greatly reduced in places by caterpillars. The hop crop is generally promising; in the Bright district a heavier return than ever, before obtained is fully expected. They are looking equally well in Gippsland, where there appears to be a determination among growers to take more pains than usual in curing and packing. It is expected that picking will commence in three weeks from this date. Potatoes are generally turning out well. That they are profitable when a good crop is obtained is shown by the fact that a grower near Warrnambool has cleared .£6OO by a crop from 20 acres. The new variety, Magnum Bonum, has been grown in a few places, with excellent results. Ploughing for the crop of next season has been commenced at Donald and others of the earlier districts, the farmers having discovered how advantageous it is to plough and sow early. New South Wales. No fresh cases of small-pox are reported. The oldest resident of Richmond has just died. Admiral Tryon has assumed command of the Australian naval squadron. At the Hobartville sale of blood stock the total amount realised was .£12,500; the highest prices obtained being ,£ISOO and J6IOOO.

The ketch Wild Duck, from Brisbane and New Guinea, reports that the mate, William Reid, was killed by the Natives of an island in the Engineer group. Advices from New Guinea state that the protectorate will be proclaimed at other points than those visited by the Commodore.

At the seventh annual sale of Mr Andrew Town's sporting and farm stock at Richmond, 22 yearling draught fillies realised prices ranging from 25 to 70 guineas each, while 16 two-year-old fillies and three-year-old mares sold at prices ranging from 35 to 100 guineas each. A severe thunderstorm occurred on Feb. 7, during which a cabman and horse on the Randwick road were killed by the lightning. Ten passengers riding inside the cab miraculously escaped. Several accidents are reported in various parts of the Colony. The drought has completely broken up in New South Wales, but not before causing very serious losses. From the Lower Murrumbidgee, and indeed the whole of South-western Eiverina the accounts are deplorable. At Messrs Learmonth's station, according to the Tribune, 14,000 valuable sheep were only kept alive by feeding on hay at a cost of .£7OO per week. The same course is being pursued on many other stations, the most valuable sheep being fed on hay, while the others are left to starve. The drought has also broken up in Queensland, and heavy rains have fallen, causing floods in various places.

It is reported that Lord Augustus Loftus will leave for England in July or August. Messenger beat Laycock on Jan. 26 in ' the race for outriggers at the Anniversary Regatta. A crowded public meeting was held in the Town Hall, on the annexation question. A motion was passed condemning the apathy of the British Government. The German steamer Samoa has left for New Guinea. A cable message received by the Governor states that it is intended to j declare as British dominion everything included in the Protectorate. It is stated j that General Scratchley is preparing to ! form a Government there as soon as I possible. An alarming accident occurred in George ' streeet at midday on Feb. 9. A number ■ of men were engaged in pulling down a building opposite the central police-station, when the verandah, with a number of heavy planks on it, collapsed with a loud crash, burying about a dozen people. W. A. Howies, draper, Surrey Hills, has since died from his injuries. At least six persons were seriously injured. Speaking of the result of the recent drought, the Sydney Mail says :—Correspondents whose information is usually reliable state that many stations of the south and west, since the last returns were published, have lost more than one-half of the animals which they pastured in 1883. We have authentic records of losses of many scores of thousands. It is quite probable that more than one-fourth of the sheep in the Colony perished. The drought of eio-ht years back caused a loss of 8,000,000 sheep. The droughts of 1883 and 1884 possibly were more disastrous. The stock returns, which should be published in a few weeks, will, we hope, truthfully define the calamity. A deputation from the Geographical Society of New South Wales waited upon General Scratchley on Jan. 31 in regard to theexplorationofNew Guinea. The members of the deputation asked General Scratchley if he was prepared to afford any facilities for carrying on the work of exploring New Guinea. General Scratchley replied that he was quite prepared to give every facility, but declines any responsibility for the Society's actions. The exploration should be of a purely private character, and all the people connected with the expedition should be under the control of one leader. He thought the best time for starting would be April. Before starting, the expedition shouldmakedefinite arrangements as to what they were going to do, and the exact object to be attained. It is understood that the leadership of the expedition will be given to the Rev Mr Chalmers.

An alarming accident occurred in George street, Sydney, about midday on Feb. 9, resulting in severe injury to several persons. A number of workmen had been engaged taking down some brick buildings opposite the central police station. Being in one oj the most densely-crowded thoroughfares of the city, and tine busiest part of the day, a large number of people were passing along the footpath in front of the buildings, when the verandah overhead, with a number of heavy planks on the top of it, suddenly collapsed with a great craßh, burying about a dozen people among the debris. The cloud of dust caused by the fall concealed the verandah from sight for a moment. Immediately afterwards cries" of men and women calling piteously for help were heard beneath the mass of iron and timber. An immense crowd gathered in the vicinity, and great excitement prevailed. A number of constables from the police station opposite assisted the workmen in removing the debris and extricating the sufferers, several of whom were taken out bleeding and covered with dust. Seven persons were conveyed to the Hospital, the moat serious case being that of Howell, a draper, who sustained several injuries, including the fracture of two ribs and the right hip. He died the same night. " Feb. 12 ensuing," says the Town and Country Journal, "will be the 34th anniversary of gold discovery in Australia, and we are glad to add that the discoverer (Mr Hargraves) is still a hale and hearty member of this community. Phe story of his voyage to California at a time when 10s per head was all he could get for prime bullocks fattened upon the famous Manning pastures, is familiar as household words to Australian miners; and how, on seeing the golden soils in America, Mr Hargraves became convinced that similar deposits existed in the land he had left. His return and the discovery of gold in Australia proved how accurate was the eye of the explorer. Gold was found, and the value of Mr Hargraves' services was acknowledged by New South Wales. Victoria has been more tardy, but we do trust the approaching session will remove that slur from her. During last session in Melbourne the propriety of acknowledging the services of Mr Hargraves was discussed, but other matters pressed the subject aside. It is to be brought forward, again, however, and ample justice done the man who found the gold that has done so much for Victoria." The veteran " Pegasus," whose pen still retains its wonted versatility, thus pictures the present state of the turf in New South Wales. Unfortunately for the prestige of the sport in Victoria, recent occurrences give the echo to a great deal of what is contained in the following:—"There has never been a time when the atmosphere surrounding the New South Wales tarf was as murky as at present; and without fear, favour, or affection, I may say that the general run of stables and owners, and reputed owners and trainers, seems deeply interested in the work of making the cloud blacker and thicker. Some do the business of active agents with a dexterous skill and an evident liking for the work, others are passive spectators, sometimes making the balh for the operatives to fire, and other times profiting by those of other folks' compounding, while others, who would be frightfully scandalised at being told they were mixed up with shady transactions, lend valuable aid, perhaps unconsciously, by countenancing the supposed 'cleverest manipulators,' and not always refusing to share the proceeds of a ' good thing.' Such is the state of things turfy as I am bound to look it in the face at this moment; and while I must express sorrow at being forced to announce its existence, I certainly don't wonder at it in the least." With regard to desertions from ships of war on the Australian station, the Sydney Morning Herald says : —" There are at present about, by a rough calculation, 1500 seamen on Board Her Majesty's ships of war in Sydney harbour. With this number of seamen it might be expected that desertions would be very numerous, but the police state that on the whole the number of desertions of late and at present, as compared against those of former years, shows a decrease rather than an increase. This is attributed to the fact that the punishment for the offence has become more severe, and that the duration of imprisonment is generally of such length las to at all events prevent the fre- ! quent repetition of acts of desertion by the same persons. A few years ' ago 90 days' imprisonment was the usual ' punishment for desertion, but now nine, j 12, and even 18 months' imprisonment are some of the terms of confinement inflicted I as punishment, and the more rigorous ! course thus adopted appears to have—to ! some degree, at all events — the ' evil. At°the present time there is said to '< be between 80 and 90 seamen imprisoned in Darlinghurst undergoing punishment for acts of desertion. These will, on her arrival, be shipped on board the Tamar, which is on her way to the Colony with the Nelson's complement of seamen to take the place of those who will shortly complete their term of service on this Btation. On the return of the Tamar tc England the deserters will be transferred to English prisons, there to complete their punish- ; ments.

; H.M.S. Tamar has sailed! with the officers and crews relieved from H.M.S. Nelson and Diamond. Charles Bright is relinquishing the lecture platform and re-joins the Press on the staff of the Daily Telegraph and Tribune. South Australia. A man, named Staer, who was suspected of having forged a plot of incendiarism in the City, has been arrested while about to commit a further act. He was committed lor trial. A largely attended public meeting was held on Jan. 20, and resolutions were passed supporting the action of Victoria in regard to annexation in tho Pacific, and deprecating the inaction of the Imperial Government with reference to the same matter. Mr Frederick Wright, in his financial report for the mail, estimates that the average loss will be one bushel per acre cf the crops throughout South Australia, through the high winds before harvest. Approximately the loss amounted to 50,000 tons, which have been destroyed or scattered in the fields. The weather having been favourable, reaping is nearly finished in South Australia, and farmers are shipping off their produce. The yields have proved variable, some being better than was expected, others worse; but, says the Chronicle, there is nothing, so far, to alter the opinion previously expressed that the average for the Colony will be about nine bushels. At the time it recorded the decided success of the recent wine show held in Ade- : laide, at which the entries numbered 109,' as compared with 69 in the previous year, ' the South Australian Advertiser expressed i regret that "in spite of the increasing popularity of Australian wines in the English market, South Australia is not developing her wine-growing resources to anything like the extent she ought to do. A great deal of land on which the vine at one time flourished has fallen out of cultivation, and nothing has been done to make this up by extending the viticultural industry in other well-favoured parts of the Province. Thus we find that while, in 1874, there were 5217 acres cultivated as vineyards, the area under vines decreased to 4280 in 1883. The production of wine also exhibits an extraordinary falling off. The extent of this will be seen when we mention that, in. 1874, the quantity of wine manufactured in the Colony amounted to 733,478 gallons, while, in 1883, the production was only 358,606 gallons. The inference might be .that a less quantity, but a better quality, of wine is now produced. This may be, but, unfortunately, our export returns do not indicate, at all events, that the wines we now send abroad are of higher value, taking the average, than they were 10 years ago." Queensland.

News has reached Cooktown that the German 'war steamer Mowe has been stranded near New Britain.

The reports from Queensland are generally favourable as far as they go. Rains have continuod to fall in many districts.in liberal amount! tut in some it is now said to be over. Ff-bruary should, however, be a wet month irf the Nor,th; the prospects are considered iirly favourable. There are ' Jtne valuable silver mines in Queensland? as well as those on the borders of fiputh Australia and New South Wales!! An important discovery has just ql&n made in the Albion lease at Sfflperfield, near Irvinebank, consisting fiiffl of horn silver, and next of grey carllnates, chlorides and sulsulphates iflced. The first assaying gave 20,000 jPinces of silver per ton, the latter from 2500 to 15,000 ounces. The lode is seven feet wide and well defined. The Barossa lease, on the same hill, has a lode 14ft across, and from which 100 tons of grey carbonates gave an assay of from 160 oz to 200 oz per ton. There are six other leases on which work is being done, and they are all looking well. The town is in a state of great excitement, and all who can are leaving fbr the locality. This promises to become -one of the most important discoveries in the Colony. A peculiar case of-death from the stings of jelly fish is reported by the Townsville Bulletin (Queensland). It seems that Frederick William omitb, a boy of 11 years of age, about half-past 7 on the morning of Deo. 30, went into the shallow water of Boss Creek to bathe. Shortly after he was seen by a Mr iEUy walking in about three feet of water, crying and striking his hands against his thighs. Kelly at first thought the boy h£,d cut his foot with a bottle, but noticing that after going a few yards the boy fell down, Kelly ran to the spot and found Ceceased lying dead, in about three feet of water, with a large number of jelly fioh all over his body, though not more than three minutes had elapsed from the time when he first noticed him. So numerous were the jelly fish that while Kelly was removing the body from the water this own arms were severely bitten', necessitating after treatment to reduce the swelling. The deceased was seen, by Dr Eidgley, who gave as his opinion that death resulted from the stings of the fish. - 'Western Australia. '

Three ariesfe have been made in connection with the recent murders at the Union Bank in Boeburne. , ) Tasmania. A reciprocal tariff agreement between Victoria an<j Tasmania has been signed, but will require ratification by the Parliaments of the two Colonies. It is understood that Tasmania has made large concessions to Victoria.

A thoroughbred sold for a farthing! This (says "Tarn O'Shanter," in the Tasmanian if ait) may seem incredible, but the incident, as related to me by a veteran "sport" of the district of Brighton, is stated to have occurred. Many years ago a mare was found wandering about one of the then wild-looking streets of an upcountry township, and taken to the public pound. The, animal not having been claimed during "the period allowed by law," it was put up for sale. Old age and a minimum of feed had caused the lot to be anything buts, an inviting one, and consequently the\narewas not sold at the sale proper. One of the gentlemen present at the bidding had in his possession a farthing of an ancient date, which the poundkeeper or auctioneer (I am not certain which) long wished to own. "Look here. P " said the wielder of the hammer, " you're not very flush of cash, I'll toll you what I'll do; the mare must be sold, so you can take her for that old farthing." Mr P , loath to part with what was apparently a relic handed down through two or three generations, looked first at the coin and then at the equine in front of him, and exclaimed, " It's a bargain, boss!" The mare in question was the dam of Lady Rowena, and the granddam of Mislead. The purchaser never had occasion to feel < so fry for his deal, for the mare turned out an exceedingly well-bred one.