SOCIAL SUMMARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

SOCIAL SUMMARY.

NEW ZEALAND, Cantkebuut.

At the recent opening of the road from Kaikoura, the suggestion of a Four-in-Hand and Driving Club for Canterbury was mooted amongst the enthusiastic admirers of the ribbons. Whether it will come to anything or not remains to be seen, bat with the number of good whips we have amongst us, the want of drivers should not stand in the way of the formation of a Club. Noxious insects are, fortunately, very seldom met with In New Zealand, hut on Feb. 23, Mr W. F. Allen, residing at Linwood, found in his garden a very large centipede. He carefully secured it in a bottle, and, after showing it to us, sub mitted it to Professor Hutton’s inspection, who recognised it as a specimen of the variety of the centipede, known as humanitarian! fenugineum. It was found in digging up the line of an old V.D.L. fence, and is supposed to have been imported with the wood, as it is of a larger size than the native centipedes generally grow to. Our Timaru correspondent wires: — Some startling revelations may be looked for shortly in connection with a case at Fairlie Creek, that has just been disclosed. . It appears that a rptui residing in that district some time ago won the affections of a young girl about 17 years of age, with consequences disastrous to her. On a recent Sunday evening the young man’s brother escorted the girl somewhere in the neighbourhood, and on arrival at a certain spot he is said to have assaulted her in a brutal manner. While he was so engaged, the original lover and a mate sprang forth out of concealment, and accused the poor girl of infidelity. The three men went off, and the girl crawled home, where she was shortly after delivered of a prematurely bom child, and, on her being examined, it was found that she had beensadly bruised and in j ured. The whole thing appears to have been an arranged

job, in order that the law should have grounds for repudiating the inevitable paternity. Immediately the matter was brought under the notice of the police. Detective Kirby went up to make enquiries, and he has made certain discoveries which will, at no distant date, be made public in the R.M. Court. In the Acclimatisation Society s Gardens at present there are quite a number of well-grown salmon, for which there is much needed a large pond. For the construction of this pond, funds, something'like : .£25, are urgently needed. There is ample space in the gardens for the pond, aud its . construction would enable Mr Farr to procure ova from native salmon, the first time in the history of the Colony .that this experiment can be made. At a well-attended meeting on March 9, in the Timaru Town Hall, the Mayor presiding, Dr MTntyre was, amid much enthusiasm, presented with a magnificent gold chronometer, a case of surgical instruments (ordered from home and yet to arrive) and a purse of sovereigns, in token of the high regard in which he is held by the public of New Zealand for his prompt and courageous action in delivering up to justice the accusedin the poisoning case Kegina v. Hall. The Mayor, Mr J. H. Sutter, M.H.R., Mr Davidson, Major Hamersley, N.Z.A., and Mr J. Jackson, exMayor, made laudatory speeches, to which Dr M'lntyre responded in a strain of heartfelt and unaffected eloquence, thanking the donors, not for himself, but for the noble profession to which he belonged, whose members everywhere would accept this as a tribute. The proceedings throughout were most . enthusiastic.

Our Darfield correspondent writes as follows: I am very sorry indeed to have to say that our district is not quite free from the taint of larrikinism. A number of youths are in the habit of congregating every Sunday evening at the Greendale and Kimberley churches, and annoying the worshippers in a number of ways, such as cutting girths and traces, letting horses loose, unbuckling stirrupleathers, and indulging in sundry other equally useful and highly edifying pastimes. As long as they confined themselves to tampering with the horses and harness, people only grumbled, and kept on the look-out; but, alas! they have descended to dirtier tricks. A few Sundays ago a gentleman, on attempting to mount his horse, found his saddle besmeared with a a thick coating of most unsavoury filth, and the next Sunday a lady found the seat of her carriage served in the same manner. If our local guardians of the peace could find it convenient to make an occasional excursion to either of these places of worship, they may perhaps bo able to somewhat abate this nuisance, and, at the same time, give some of these young hopefuls a chance of interviewing Mr Whitefoord.

On Monday morning, March 14, a man named George Wells, lining in Hanmer street, Linwood, committed snioide by hanging. He went to bed on Sunday night in apparently his usual health, and got up early next morning and went out. Between 6 and- 7 o’clock his son found him hanging to a beam in the stable, quite dead. Young Wells cut him down at once, and Dr Guthrie was sent for. The doctor was of opinion that when he arrived the man had been dead about three-quarters of an hour. Wells had been out of employment for some time, and had been somewhat depressed in spirits. He had given way to drink during the past month. A step-ladder was standing a few feet from where the body was hanging, and as the deceased’s neck was dislocated, it is supposed that after placing the rope round his neck, he jumped off the ladder, and had his neck broken by the jerk. His feet were about a foot from the ground when he was discovered, and his hands were in his trousers pockets. His wife states that on March 10, he came home with his clothes wet, and would give no satisfactory explanation as to how they came to be so. An inquest was held on Tuesday, when the jury returned a verdict of “ Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.” We have had the pleasure of a chat with Mr S. J. Reynolds, who is introducing to public notice here, on behalf of a special publishing company having their head-quarters at Sydney, the most notable book venture yet known south of the line. When a year or so ago, a preliminary canvas was made in this Colony, the promises made were so large, and seemed so impossible of fulfilment, that many people doubted —and declined. But Mr Reynolds is able, by the display of specimen parts, to dispel all doubts, and to lead to the conclusion that the half had not been told. This picturesque Atlas is a magnificent conception worthily put into execution. There are maps, designed with special care, clearly drawn on a large scale, and embodying information such as to our knowledge has never before been given. There is descriptive letterpress, printed in a bold, clear type, which from a necessarily fragmentary examination seems to be brightly written. But the charm of the work is in the illustrations. These are being specially drawn by artists who demonstrate that they have the highly developed perceptive faculty and the highly trained manipulative skill, necessary in combination for the production of high-class work. And these illustrations are of a very high type indeed. We do not at all like the decorative borders in pale tint with which some of them are surrounded; the accessories to our thinking are a mistake j but the pictures so treated are only occasional ones. In turning over the specimen parts submitted to us, it seemed difficult to decide which were best, the more pretentious illustrations, or the plentifully besprinkled '* bits” of river, or bush, or mountain scenery, or quaint nooks and corners in colonial towns and cities. We have some idea of the many processes involved in the production of these exquisitely finished woodcuts, but to attempt any description thereof would occupy more time and space than we have at our disposal. As examples of more than ordinary excellence may be mentioned “ Entrance to Endeavour river,” the Turneresque "Burial of Captain Cook’s Remains at Sea; ” " Dangar Falls,” New South, Wales, &c. Such a work as this Picturesque Atlas, we feel confident, has merely to be seen to be appreciatively subscribed for.

Westland. A large deposit of beautiful grey granite, very hard, and susceptible of high polish, has been found near Lake Brunner, on the line of the Midland Railway. Samples will be forwarded to the Company’s office at Christchurch. The profits of successful mining enterprise are (says the Inangahua Times) well illustrated in the case of the Keep-it-Dark Company. The Company was registered on March 2, 1874, Thirteen calls were made in all, amounting to 2s 7id per share, or a total of £2625. The Company on Monday last declared its eighty-fourth dividend, bringing the total amount paid the shareholders per share to a trifle over £4 4s, or a gross sum upon the capital of the Company of £84,166 13s 9d. During the career of the Company gold to the value of £200,000 sterling has been won, and according to all appearances the life of the Company is as vigorous and full of hope as it was ten years ago. Otago. Cable advice has been received that the Grand Lodge in Melbourne has granted the application for a charter for a Grand Lodge of Drnids for the Middle Island. A movement is on foot to promote a suitable memorial to the late Mr James Macandrew. Many are in favour of a statue, and others are in favour of founding scholarships. With a view of deciding what form it should take, the Mayor has called a meeting to settle the point.

Considerable consternation has been caused in commercial circles by the announcement that the direct steamers do not intend to call at Port Chalmers, owing to the heavy port dues. At the invitation of Mr James M acdonald, the proprietor, a large party visited. Walton Park on March 13 to witness the starting. of the machinery for the manufacture of Portland cement. Specimens of the concrete made from the cement were tested in various ways, and were found to be quite equal to any imported. * On ' .the passage of .the Thurso ..from Mauritius, three seamen died from supposed fish poisoning by eating shark. The steward was also attacked, but is now convalescent. The second officer also partook of some of the fish, without any serious consequences. The Health Officer has placed the ship in quarantine. On March 16, the Mayor of Dunedin, ‘Mr Leary, entertained His Excellency the Governor and company, including representatives of both Houses, Consuls and Chairmen of public bodies. The chief speakers were the Governor, who said there were evidences that the depression was passing away and lauded Dunedin as a place of residence, and Dr Belcher, who spoke strongly against the imposition of fees for education. Wellington.

Parliament is definitely announced to meet on Tuesday, April 26. Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts has been appointed Commandant of the Permanent Militia. It has been calculated that losses by fire in New Zealand since June last willawallow up ten years’premiums. The Hon W. H. Reynolds is credited with insisting on reduction in legislative expenditure, as well as other branches of the public revenue. The Doric’s salmon ova arrived in good condition. The Stella left with 330,000 on March 16 for Lyttelton, whence the boxes will be taken by rail to Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Admiral Tryou inspected the forts and works at Wellington on Feb. 26. He thinks the sites admirably chosen, and that they will prove formidable defences. He has made some suggestions which will probably be acted on. The Hon Mokena Kohere, M.L.C. for Waipu, has resigned his seat in the Legislative Council. This makes the eleventh vacancy in the General Assembly, caused by death or resignation during the recess. No reason has been assigned for the resignation. It is understood that Government have a Bill ready for presentation to the next eeesion of Parliament, the object of which is to endow Wellington with the University services of the geological staff of the Museum. The BiU will be introduced by Sir Robert Stout.

Some 15,000 acres of agricultural land, belonging to the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, were submitted to auction on March 7. The land is situated between Shannon and Tokamaru Stations, on the Company’s line. Eight thousand six hundred and sixty acres were sold, realising £15,613,

In the course of bis sermon at St Paul’s Church on March 7 Bishop Cowie mentioned, as an illustration of the kindly sympathies manifested by the Natives of Melanesia, that not long ago a number of the island yontha sent to him a contribution in money for the benefit of the sufferers by the Tarawera eruption. The seamen of the Nelson, who received JBSO from the Underwriters’ Association for services rendered at the recent fire, have devoted the money towards the erection of a monument to the memory of their shipmates who have died while serving on this station. The monument is to be placed in the cemetery where they are buried. Tho settlement, in the Forty Mile Bush, under the Village Homestead System, seems to be flourishing, and the demand for land under this system is so great that two further blocks, of 1000 acres each in some districts, are now being surveyed. In a very short time there will be 1000 families located in the Forty Mile Bush country. At the medical examination at the University five candidates failed to obtain the necessary marks in mechanics, but the notice making this a compulsory subject was only issued in Jane, and the examiners thought the time too short. The Senate to-day decided that the candidates represented on the Registrars’ lists by the numbers 51, 140, 216, and 340 be allowed to pass the preliminary examination. The sale of the Manawatu Railway Company’sland near Tokomaru, held on March 8, attracted the largest gathering of speculators and farmers ever got together in any auction room in this city. The bidding was exceedingly brisk, and the land realised from 20a an acre to JJ4 5s per acre, in blocks suitable for small and medium sized farms. Settlers from all parts of the Provincial district were eager bidders. - At the meeting of tho Underwriters Association, on March 11, at which it was decided to raise the rates on dangerous blocks of the city 20 per cent, a long discussion took place in reference to the Wainui water supply. It was pointed out that the repairs to the race would necessitate the water being cut off for two weeks. It was, therefore, decided to engage a strong patrol party to watch the streets during that time, but it was also decided to organise a paid Salvage Corps.

The new 6in breech loader at Fort Ballance has been successfully mounted on its disappearing carriage. Some trouble was experienced in fixing the gear, which is worked by compressed air, but the difficulties are now surmounted. Specially trained men had to be procured from England to set up similar guns in Victoria. The. weapon was tried on March 2. A similar gun is being got into position at the Ngahauranga battery, four miles from town, on the Hutt road. A man named Drain, "wanted” for alleged larceny as ■ a bailee at Auckland, was arrested this morning under rather amusing circumstances. Detective Campbell, who was on the look out, whilst strolling about the city, recognised his man, from the description in his possession, driving a. cab. The detective hailed the cabby, and requested him to drive to the .Police Station. The cabby, quite unsuspecting, did as requested, chatting comfortably with his fare (who was on the box) en route. Arrived at the station, the detective asked the Jehu to enter. Little dreaming of what was on board, the invitation was accepted, and then the situation was disclosed. The detective made a good job of it by driving the cab off to the owner’s stables. The Benevolent Trustees were this week unwittingly the means of helping the escape of a man *' wanted ” by the police. At the meeting a letter was received from Sir George Whitmore, recommending aid to an old A.C. man. The relieving officer reported that he had paid the man’s passage to Grcymouth, as desired by him. It has since become known that this individual, who appeared to be in every respect an “old soldier,” had behaved very badly in Masterton. His name it appears is Joseph Jackson, and in the early part of last month he engaged two furnished rooms from a Mr Mahoney, Whilst Mahoney was away from Masterton, Jackson cleared out everything of value from the cottage, including bedding, the clock, looking-glasses, cooking utensils, &c., and sold them to a secondhand dealer. Having spent the proceeds in drink he cleared to Wellington. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Taranaki. The Natives at Farihaka are fencing off the land in sections to be occupied by separate families. Te Whiti yielded to the wishes of the Natives after many toreros. Preparations are being made for exclusive planting of crops, and it is expected the Natives will again be large producers as in former years.

A number of waterspouts were visible some distance off the coast on Feh. 27. Six of the phenomena were to be seen simultaneously. During the whole of the day a murky bank of clouds was extended completely around the horizon, while overhead the sky was quite clear. Mount Egmont is becoming a regular tourists’ resort. On Sunday, March 13, the largest party yet met on the top assembled, there being at one time 31 persons, amongst whom were three ladies. Another party of two ladies aud two gentlemen also gained the top on the same day,, after the others had left camp. Mount Egmont is 8370 feet high. There is now an easy road to ascend by. ' , The effect of the completion of the railway between Wellington and New Plymouth is plainly to be seen in the passenger lists of the Union Company’s boats trading on this coast. On Feb. 27 the liotorua brought four passengers to New Plymouth from the south and took awa; over thirty. But for railway communica tion most of these outward passengers would have taken the steamer at Wellington.

Hawke’s Bay. Notice was given at the Napier Rabbit Trustees meeting to strike a rate of a farthing on sheep, and a penny farthing on cattle, so that the fence at the south boundary of the Province may bo continued for some miles beyond the present contract. Auckland. Cases of typhoid and scarlet fever are reported daily. Lewis, the hangman, is reported to have left for Sydney, having received .£4O for his services at the double execution of Caffrey and Penn, the Great Barrier murderers. I’he gallows was shipped back to Wellington orkFeb. 24. A great tangi was held over Tn Tawhiao at Whatiwhatihoe on March 2. Including a contingent from Tan rang a, several hundred natives were present. No liquor was indulged in, but some of the most disgusting hakas ever witnessed were performed. The young girls appeared to have lost all sense of modesty. Reports on the tobacco crops have been received as follows by the Manager of the N.Z. Tobacco Company : —At the Bay of Islands the crops are good, especially the hybrid Havannah, In Poverty Bay the crops are rather late. The Natives, having received seed and printed instructions in Maori from the Company, have done well. Some fair crops are expected from the Bay of Plenty. Hawke’s Bay has suffered from want of rain, hut will have some good leaf. In Taranaki the crops are better than last year. At Nelson there are good crops, and as far South as Canterbury fair returns are expected. Taking it all round, the crops are better and more plentiful than was anticipated.

A new white terrace has been discovered in the Hot Lake district, in the Wairarapa Valley, sixteen miles from Rotorua. The special reporter of the Star gives a glowing description of the beauties of the district, which contains a number of picturesque lakes, in addition to extraordinary volcanic phenomena. The new terrace is in process of formation, and is most interesting. It is highly gratifying to note a decided improvement in the tourist traffic to the Hot Lakes district. There was a certain amount of alarm felt after the Tarawera eruption, coupled with the idea that the chief " lions" of the district had been destroyed; but these impressions have been removed by the experience of visitors, and now that the safety and attractiveness of the district have been re-established, there will probably be a larger influx of tourists than ever before. The manager for H. If. Hayr and Co., tourist agents, has this week sent twenty-two visitors through the Lake district from Auckland. The number of visitors who left by train yesterday morning was larger than had ever been known on a single day before, and included a number of English and Australian tourists. A peculiar Darwinian joke is just now attracting attention. Mr £. Harrow, of Lake Takapuna, attempted on March 10 to gain admittance to a concert in aid of St Peter’s Church, with a monkey rigged out in the garb of a parson. Mr Seaman and Sergeant Gibbes, who were at the door, very properly objected to the proceedings being disturbed by any such intrusion, and the owner of tho monkey, after vowing that he would take legal proceedings against the promoters, retired. Subsequently Mr Seaman received the following extraordinary letter:— “ Dear Sir, —Mr Edwin Harrow, of Buona Vista, Lake Takapuna, gentleman, complains that, being the purchaser and holder of a family ticket for the concert in aid of St Peter’s Church, Lake Takapuna, which be bought on the express understanding that it should entitle him and his adopted son and heir, Jeremiah, to admittance, yet on presenting themselves at the door and applying for admission it was refused them, and you yourself personally, with the aid of your son, a sergeant of police, forcibly prevented them from entering, whereby Mr Harrow considers himself greatly aggrieved He therefore instructs me to apply to you for a refund of the price of the ticket—viz., 6s, and a sovereign for damages, both of which he will give to some charity. In default of payment Mr Harrow proposes to pursue such remedy as the law may afford.—Yours truly (signed), William Coleman.” Mr Seaman intends to tell Mr Coleman’s client to pursue whatever remedy he likes, and when he has caught it to keep it carefully with Jeremiah and tho rest of his household treasures. Mr Twopeny, in the course of an interview with the Star's special correspondent in Dunedin on the subject of the proposed Auckland Exhibition, said: —“ My idea is that the jubilee of the Colony ought to bo celebrated by an Exhibition, and that Auckland is the proper place to hold it at, because there never yet has been an Exhibition held there; because that is the district in which the first settlement took place; because it is the largest town in the Colony, and is going ahead more than any other ; because an Exhibition there would open up a field for the consumption of our Southern manufactures, and, lastly, because it is the only town that would be likely to pay something towards the cost of an Exhibition. Besides this, Auckland offers peculiar, facilities for lending important features and attractions to an ordinary Colonial Industrial Exhibition, which you could not get elsewhere. lam alluding, of course, to my idea of associating the South Sea Islands with the project, besides which, a representation of Maori life, which ought to be interesting, could only be made in Auckland; and Sir Julius Vogel’s Maritime and Fisheries scheme could be best brought into play there. I was talking to Mr Mills, of the Union Steamship Company, who is perfectly delighted with the idea. He says he is convinced that if it were made known at Home in plenty of time, it would attract scorea of tourists from England, to say nothing of thousands from Australia. Such an exhibition would be so absolutely unique; it would be something that the world has never seen before, and would relate to races in which English people have always taken peculiar interest.”

AUSTRALIA, Yictobia.

During one day recently, no fewer than seven inquests were held in Melbourne, making 71 since the beginning of the year. The Mayor of Melbourne has summoned a meeting of Provincial Mayors to consider the steps to be taken in Victoria to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. The number of deaths from typhoid fever in Victoria averages 456 per annum, from 1876 to 1885. The deaths from this cause in Melbourne alone were over 2000, the mortality never falling below 157 in, one year, and rising as high as 307.

The opening of the Telephone Exchange under the control of the Government is likely to be effected shortly.

The annual raid on the rabbits m Victoria began on Feb. 21, but cae operations have been delayed by the weather.. Bisulphide of carbon is the chief destructive agent in use. The police have ascertained that Charles Augustus Smyth, local preacher, who on Thursday last was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for defrauding Mr Eetallick of £I2OO, had previously imposed upon several people in Dunedin and Christchurch, where be was suspected of incendiarism. He has recently married a girl while his wife, who has charge of the children, is alive, and he will probably be indicted for bigamy. Numerous suggestions have been made in connection with the Queen’s Jubilee. One is that photographs of the marriageable girls of good character should be placed in the public library in Melbourne, with the view to encourage marriages. This proposal has caused a good deal of correspondence, and a ladies' indignation meeting to repudiate the notion. Another suggestion is that the franchise should be bestowed upon women. The prosecutor in a recent larceny case refused to be sworn, on the ground that the Bible produced was in a filthy condition, and he said he would prefer to make an affirmation. The hook was in a filthy state, and he objected to kiss it. The magistrate said he must kiss the hook, or be committed for contempt. The witness reluctantly cook the dirty Bible in his ham}, opened it, and, selecting a tolerably clean, page, pressed his lips to it, and was declared duly sworn. The Magistrate then told him he would not believe him on his oath> but the witness was allowed to testify.

At Queensoliff, on March 2 a fisherman named Johnson, whilst pursuing his vocation at Mud Island was astonished at the sudden appearance of a man who had a wild look about him. Johnson hailed him, and the man gave some response in broken English and then disappeared into the scrub. Johnson, with hia companions, then searched for him, but could not discover his whereabouts. The occurrence was not reported to the police, but when the matter formed the subject of conversation among the Queensoliff fishermen, one of them named William Abbot told the constable of it, and a telegram was sent to Sorrento, to learn if anything was known thereof a man on Mud Island, bat no reply was received. It is supposed he is the missing engineer from the Preussen, for whose discovery a good reward is offered. A terrible explosion occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Arblastor’a powder factory, near Eaglehawb, by which five lives were lost, and a number of people injured. The most improved machinery was in use for manufacturing safety and large-grained powder. The factory has been giving employment to a number of persons, a large proportion of whom were boys. The sound of the explosion was heard for a long distance. One lad was picked up, dead, fifty or sixty yards away. It was stated that the magazine contained five or six tons of powder. 4.8 the flames burnt with fierceness, the bodies of the unfortunate victims were roasted; they were burnt and charred beyond recognition. Nothing has yet been ascertained as to the cause. The magazine resisted the fire and has not been destroyed. A civil action for £250 damages for alleged libel, brought by C. E. Jones, M.L.A. for Ballarat; West, against the publisher of the Argus, was heard at the Ballarat County Court, before Judge Casey and a special jury of six. The alleged libel was contained in an article in the Argus connecting Jones with an attempt to introduce contraband . patchwork Bibles from America. The Judge, in summing up, said he would take a two - thirds verdict. The jury returned in an hour’s time with a two-thirds verdict for the defendant. His Honor explained he had made a mistake, and he should have said that a three-fourths verdict was necessary. The jury again retired, and in half an hour’s time returned and said there was no possibility of a three-fourths verdict. The jury were vent back, and as they had .not agreed at 8 o’clock, they were discharged. Pour were for the defendant and two for the plaintiff. Counsel for the plaintiff asked His Honor to fix a date for a new trial.

At a general meeting of the Victorian branch of the Eoyal Geographical Society of Australasia, held recently,' the Joint Committee on Antarctic explorations (according to the Argus ) presented a progress report. They stated that they had received letters from gentlemen connected with the whaling interest in Europe confirming the Committee in the impression that the North Sea fisheries, which had long been failing, were now nearly profitless. Admiral Ommaney was strongly of opinion that only the Mother Country could adequately equip and conduct a suitable scientific expedition to the Antarctic regions, which must be naval, but he regarded with favour the proposal of an Australian pioneer expedition in a steamwhaler, and thought that the results might be extremely valuable. There would be plenty of time to carry out. this idea. Captain Gray or Sir A. Young might bo induced to undertake a whaling expedition to the South Polar seas, and to carry thence two or three competent observers. Taking this view, the Committee recommended the Government to advertise for tenders for a bonus, to be given to any steam-whaler which would carry a few scientific passengers, and bring to Melbourne Antarctic products of a certain value, besides effecting a landing on the mainland near Mount Erebus. The report was received with applause, and Baron von Mtieller expressed the hope that the work of exploration would' be begun this year. A shocking sailing boat accident happened on Lake Tyers, A party of four visitors, consisting of Miss Curtis and Miss Dunn, both of Sale, Mr Smith, of Brunswick street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, and his son, a boy of about 15 years of age, went upon the Lake for a sail. The boat was in charge of a boatman named Jonsen. After sailing about the part of the lake fronting the aboriginal mission station the boat was headed for the other side of the Lake. While rounding the point a strong gust of wind struck the boat, and she reeled half over. Immediately the occupants endeavoured to right the boat, which they partly succeeded in doing, but she had shipped too much water, and sank. Jonsen, the boatman, tried to cut away the sail, but could not get the mast out. When in the water, the two young ladies, as well as the other occupants of the boat, clung to it. In this position they remained for about ten minutes, meanwhile shouting for help, but their voices could not be heard, as the. wind was blowing off the land and no one on shore happened to have seen the accident. The first to disappear was Mr Smith, senr., -who, from the first, had, owing to weakness, been unable to keep his head above water. His son held him up for some time, and when letting go said: "It is no use me holding father; he is dead. 5 ' The brave young fellow next lost his hold of the boat, but grasped an oar, to which he clung for some minutes, lying in the water on his back until exhausted, when he also sank. The two ladies retained their hold of the boat, for some time. This was a matter of great difficulty, as it was being knocked about a good deal by the wind. Miss Dunn sank next, and Die boatman and Miss Curtis succeeded in clinging to the boat as it drifted bottom upwards to the opposite shore. Jonsen behaved bravely, and but for his efforts Miss Curtis would also have been drowned. They were over two hours in the water, and only reached the mission station in a very exhaused state.

His Excellency the Governor has communicated with Mr Gillies, the Premier, with the view of public and private contributions being obtained for the Imperial ’lnstitute. Sir Julius Vogel’s proposal to give electoral rights to women is condemned by the Argus, which says that if he succeeds he may not add to the attractions of New Zealand. Bachelors may shun the spot, and if that calamity came about small would be the mercy the other sex would have for its author. _ A banquet was given on Feb. 25, in the. Town Hall, to Sir Henry Parkes. The Mayor presided. The members of the Ministry were among those present. In his speech in reply to the toast of hia health. Sir Henry Parkes declared he had always advocated Federal action on the part of the Colonies, and would continue to seek to cement a true union, between them. On Feb. 22 enormous fires broke out in. the pastoral district between Belfast and Hawkesdale, in the Western district of Victoria, and caused enormous damage. It is stated that the fire was five miles in width, and travelled fourteen miles in three hours, sweeping everything before it. Nearly 40,000 acres of grass and 80 miles of fencing were destroyed, besides whole mobs of sheep, and numbers of horses and cattle. . Sir Henry Parkes had an Interview on Feb. 25 with Mr Derham, PostmasterGeneral, and promised co-operation with the Victorian Government regarding the carriage of Australian mails from Great Britain. He stated ho would endeavour to establish a parcels post between Victoria * ' and New South Wales, and also introduce postcards between England and the Colonies. He afterwards had an interview with Mr Gillies, when the two Premiers decided to act in concert with reference to the ctlebration of the Queen’s Jubilee. ; n The depositions were again taken In connection with the charge of, fraud preferred Kgainbt Charles A. Smyth, the now notorious Brunswick local preacher. When the case was last before the Court, the evidence of Thomas Eetallick, the prosecutor, was piincipally confined to bis meeting with the accused under peculiar circumstances, but now he related in detail the circumstances leading up to the three charges of obtaining the sums of £SO, £SOO and £350, by means of fraudulent representations. The first amount was obtained, it is alleged, from Eefallick by Smyth to v make up a sum of £6OO, for purchasing a house and land at Brunswick, the second sum of £SOO was obtained as a guarantee to the Bail way department on wo.«i siding business at Brunswick, and the third sum. of £350 was obtained ostensibly «s a mortgage on property in Sydney. Smyth invariably gave Eetallick receipts for the various sums advanced to him, and everything went on smoothly until Eetallick became uneasy about the delay in the arrival of the deeds of the Sydney property. Smyth begged him to make his mind easy, for life was too precious to let it pass in a continual state of anxiety, and even after hinting that Smyth was not acting honestly, Eetallick gave him a written apology, exonerating him from the charge insinuated, and withdrawing every detrimental remark that he had made, about him. At this stage, the case was further adjourned.

New South Walks. ' The delegates to the Imperial Conference. have left by the Chimborazo. The unemployed have held meetings, and have deputationieed the Government. Sain has been very frequent over all the country, and there is every prospect of a 1 splendid season. Sir Henry Parkes states that the deficit is to be wiped off, not by direct*, taxation, but by Treasury Bills. The mission of Sir Charles Mitchell to Tonga is said to have been brought about by representations to the Imperial Government initiated by the Wesleyans in Sydney. Parliament will be opened by Cora-— — mission on March 9, Messrs Hay, Barton, and Lloyd' being the representatives in the Legislative Council, and Sir Henry Parkes and Messrs Garrett and Burns in the Assembly, The elections concluded on Feb. 26. Of 124 members returned, 77 are supporters of Sir Henry Parkes’ Government, 37 are Oppositionists, and ten are independent. Otherwise the members may be classed as Freetraders, 83 j Protectionists, 41. . The defences of the Colony axe occupying a good deal of attention, and contrasts have been drawn between the incompleteness of the preparations here and the state of things in Victoria, where arrangements for resisting attack are complete at all points. It is reported that a motion similar to those excluding Mr Bradlaugh from the House of Commons will be brought forward against Mr Walker, a Freethinker, recently elected for Northumberland. Mr Walker is willing to take the oath before the House is constituted, when only the clerk is at the table swearing the members, as after the oath has been taken no motion excluding him on the ground of his opinions is possible. A strange affair happened in Wooloomoloo. A little girl about 12 years of age bas been living with a woman by whom she was adopted. A man about 60 years of age has been in the habit of paying attentions to the child, and he took her to Church for the purpose of being married to her. The Eev Mr Garnsey, however, declined to to umte them on account of the girl’s age. The Rev gentleman is now of opinion that a minister went to the house where the girl resided and performed the ceremony. A man named Broughton, residing in Botany road, has been arrested, charged with maliciously administering a poisonous drug to his wife, Lottie Broughton, so as toendanger her life. According to the woman’s story, after some words her husband took her by the throat and said she must either take a spoonful of jam, containing a poison known as white precipitate, which he had in his hand, or be throttled. She took the poisoned jam, and soon afterwards informed some neighbour® as so wbat had occurred. The police were brought, and the woman was taken to the Sydney Hospital, where she remained for some time in an unconscious state. Broughton was remanded. The unemployed have been rather demonstrative. Led by a man named M’Cormack, they marched in procession through the streets and assembled in front of the Government offices, when they demanded to see the Premier. The police declined to allow them access, and M'Cormack would not be allowed to enter npon any terms. This man urged the men not to accept less than 6s per day. Sir H. Parkes saw the deputation, and gave them, to understand that the Government would do all they could for them, but at the same time, any attempt to create a disturbance would be put down with a strong hand. Since then, about 2000 men were provided for on different relief works, clearing land. The report of Mr Henry C. Taylor, officer in charge of the New South Wales Babbit Department, for the month of December last, is to the effect that the area inspected aggregates 4,089,654 acres, of which 3,657,266 acres were found bo be rabbit-infested. On 222 of the blocks inspected, rabbits were decreasing; on 214, stationary; on 86, increasing; the remaining 109 were apparently unoccupied by ; the *■ ‘ pest. The total number of men employed in the work of destruction on the blocks visited was 2285, and the number of rabbits killed 852,739. Notwithstanding the immense number of rabbits that are at present being killed, it is a matter for great regret that the prospects of eradicating the pest seem as remote as ever, the reports showing that rabbits are slowly but surely making their way into the northern portion of the Colony, and the rnnowners m that locality must shortly expect to I earn something of the worry and expense attached to the work of rabbit destruction.

An—attempt will he made shortly _to .establish a college for women in connection with the Sydney University. The appointment of another Judge is strongly urged. It is probable that Mr Justice Faussat will shortly retire. At a meeting of unemployed yesterday it was asserted that five shillings a day was the minimum wages at which they would accept work. The recent nominations to the Upper House have given general satisfaction. With the exception of Dr Garran and Mr Vickery, the others have been members x of the Assembly. A petition, numerously signed by real--dents of Bathurst, has been forwarded to the Premier, directing attention to the non-recognition of God in the Assembly, ■and asking him to use his influence in the •direction of establishing the of opening proceedings with prayer for divine guidance and blessing. Two cases of abduction of young girls recently caine before the Court. In one -case Edward Gilbert Fleming, a warehouseman, was charged with abducting girl from her home, but as the girl went of her own free will, this charge could not be sustained. In another case two young girls left a boarding-house where they were employed, and, with two of the lodgers, resided in Balmain. In this instance also the act was a voluntary one. _ One of the prisoners, John Gifford, a mining engineer, has been committed for trial.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has recommended to the Government of New South Wales that a new Defence •-Committee be appointed to attend tp the national defences of the country. The despatch, which is a secret one, also suggested alterations that might be desirable towards perfecting the defences. It is explained that this is part of a scheme for national defence which has resulted from various Commissions that have sat to consider the subject. The Colonial Secretary Kftg accordingly recommended five names •for 'membership in this Committee, and they now await the Executive’s approval. The duties of this Committee, which it is understood will receive no remuneration beyond that belonging to tbeir positions as heads of different branches of the forces, will be to a large extent discharged in -secret. Similar Committees are to be appointed by otber Colonial Governments, and these Committees will deal with matters which affect all the Colonies in common. On Feb. 20 the unemployed, to the number of nearly 1000, assembled in the domain. •Some of them delivered incendiary addresses. An animated demonstration, similar to that of the London Socialists, was advocated by one of the speakers. Another urged that they should parade Xing and George streets, and that the procession should take their pockets full of -atones with them, and give three cheers. Ultimately it was resolved to form a procession, which marched to the Benevolent Asylum and demanded bread. Some of them said they had not eaten for 48 hours. The Directors ot the Institution did not refuse, but told the deputation to make application in writing, when it would be considered by the Board. The procession again formed, and marched to the Colonial Secretary’s office, and interviewed Sir Henry Parkes, who promised that pressing cases would receive immediate attention, and that efforts would be made to provide employment.

South Australia. Fresh finds of gold are reported from King’s Bluff, Teetmpa. Altogether 85,436 feet of space has been ■ applied for at the Exhibition, hut this by no means represents the room which will be occupied by South Australia. It is reported here that it is improbable the tenders of the P. and O. and Orient Companies, for the carriage of the English and Australian mails, will be accepted. A*co! , Werable exodus of population from '~T£oelaideH® taken place. In one week recently over 208 left in excess of the arrivals, 'and just before that 270 people cleared out. The Premier, speaking at Gawler on March 8, confirmed the announcement of the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to enable South Australia to join the Federal Council He stated that he believed the Premier of New South Wales would propose a similar Bill. Mr Bray, Acting-Premier, has received a letter from the President of the Adelaide Hebrew congregation, pointing out that it will prove exceedingly inconvenient to the Jewish denomination if elections are held on Saturday. Mr Bray replied that Mr Solomon’s letters came to hand too late, as fhe dates for the writs bad been fixed, but he hoped the Hebrew fraternity would not be debarred from exercising the franchise.

Queensland. The Lakes Creek Preserving Company has a large contract in hand. Heavy weather has been experienced all along the coast, and a considerable quantity of rain has fallen. Owing to heavy rains the country in the north is flooded, and railway communication is suspended at many points. It is understoodthat a further order has been received tor preserved beef, with the probability of further orders, making in. all over two million pounds weight of meat. Lieutenant Hesketh, of the Queensland gunboat Gayundah, has been placed under arrest, pendiug the decision of Admiral Tryon regarding the court martial. Financial transactions with subordinates are the cause of the difficulty. Heavy rains are reported from many parts of the Colony. A cyclone has been experienced at Burketown, near the Gulf of Carpentaria. Eight lives have been lost, and the damage to property amounts to from £12,000 to £20,000. At Cooktown the party who landed at the Johannette Island to punish the murderers of Captain F. Craig, attacked the village. They found about 18 Natives. Ten were killed and two wounded. They then burnt three villages, and destroyed the cocoanut trees surrounding them. The remainder of the Natives fled into the scrub. A Winchester rifle, _ a Colt’s revolver, and some ammunition were discovered. They had belonged to Craig. Most of the natives who murdered Craig are still in the mountains, and it is impossible to follow them, owing to the dense undergrowth scrub.

TASMANIA. Mr Moore having declined the portfolio in the Ministry, Mr Brown retains the position of Minister of Lands. A terrible tragedy occurred in Parker’s lodging - house, Hobart. A foreigner named Orlando and bis wife were staying there, and had been quarrelsome the night before —the woman striking her husband several times with apoker, and he also struck her. In the morning Orlando came downstairs and called for his breakfast, and was asked where his wife was. He replied jokingly, “Oh, she is not going to have any breakfast.” His wife heard this, and, going round to where he was sitting, took up a knife from the table and stabbed him in the neck st the back of the ear. The man died twenty minutes afterwards, the knife having penetrated right through into the -cavity of the mouth, and the blood ran down his throat into his lungs, and he died of suffocation. The Wife bears a very bad character, but the deceased was a quiet, inoffensive man. At the inquest, a verdict ot manslaughter was returned.