MISCELLANEOUS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1053, 31 January 1878, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

It is reported (says the Tuapeka Titties) that a distiflgui*ded member of the legal profession, who also professes to be an amateur athlete of considerable ability, met with rather a " take in" recently. The legal gentleman, along with several others, was enjoying the hospitality of a ruriholder, not a thousand miles from Tapanui, and in the course of a conversation on athletics the legal gentleman casually remarked that he himself was a good runner, and if it were notior the position he occupied, he would not mind running anyone a hundred yards for a consideration. A stout gentleman who was present (a well-known M.H.R.), and one who certainly had not the appearance of being in training for that sort of thing, said he would not mind giving him a spin for a suit of clothes. The legal gentleman (without taking advice on the matter as he should have done) at once made the wager. The ground was soon measured off in a nice green paddock, a good start was effected, and the legal gentleman came in far enough behind to pay for a suit of clothes for his opponent—in fact he was distanced. The legal gentleman now consoles himself by saying that it is the first" suit" he has lost in the district. A well merited opinion on the excellence of a legal journal was given by Judge Ward. During the hearing of a case at the recent sitting of the District Court a case was cited by one of the counsel engaged which was reported in the New Zealand Jurist. Another gentleman learned in the law having suggested some doubt as to the correctness of the report, His Honour Judge Ward took occasion to speak in terms of the highest praise of the publication in question, and concluded by saying " the New Zealand Jurist is edited by a barrister at law, who is a profound lawyer, and a very able man, I have always found that any cases of which I have had any knowledge were correctly and ably reported." The editor is the well known Mr G. B. Barton. The volcano Tongariro in the North Island, after an interval of eight years, is giving signs of activity. Loud rumblings were heard from the direction of the volcano continuing at intervals two or three days afterwards. The crater and cone were covered with clouds, so that the fires, if any, were not visible. It is understood that Mr G. M. Reed, of the Daily Times, accompanies Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan upon their visit to the Maori King, and is appointed to act at special reporter for the Government upon the occasion. Mr J. C. Brown, M.H.R., will also form part of the suite. The Sun gives an instance of the "retort pointed," as follows :—Scene in a police court, not a thousand miles from Wanganui. Lawyer; "How do you identify this handkerchief?" Witness : "By its general appearance, and the fact that I have others like it." Counsel: "That's no proof;, for I have got one just like it in my pocket." Witness :" I dont doubt that, as I had more of the same sort stolen." * Mr Gladstone, says the London Times, is a person to be pitied. He has attained such an elevation among his countrymen that his simple acts are studied for the discovery of the inner significance. If he has an attack of influenza, someone more wise than his neighbour will ask, like Talleyrand, " What does he mean by it f The Auckland Star of a recent date says : " Dr Somerville held a meeting of ladies to-day in the Theatre Royal, from which gentlemen were entirely excluded. There was one gentleman, however, who was curious to ascertain what mysterious things were proceeding within the closed doors, viz, a reporter from this journal. He sought admittance, which was refused. We are therefore, unable to furnish any report of this afternoon's proceedings. On future occasions of this kiud, however, we shall, engage a special female reporter." Owing to the cessation of the famine in India the sum of £349 is to be returned to Auckland being part of the local subscriptions to the Indian Famine Fund. As a matter of course the subscribers will dispose of this charitable windfall to some other deserving object. Whilst the schooner African Maid was proceeding down Sydney harbor, towed by the steamer Herald, Mrs Whingmore, the captain's wife, by some unaccountable mishap fell overboard. Her husband, who could not swim, jumped in after her. Captain Hall of the Herald, sprang after them and rescued both, making a catalogue of fifty-three persons, he has saved from drowning.

In the single-wicket cricket match last Friday, at Christchurch, between Garratt one of the Canterbury team, and C. Bannerman of the Australian eleven, the former made 5 runs and the latter 25 not out. The match was unconcluded. At a champagne spread after the match Neilson said the interprovincial matches with Otago had been broken off. So many obstacles had been cast in their way of late years by Otago that it had been decided to throw up the match altogether. Great umbrage was taken by the Canterbury players at Mr Eva's expression at the Otago. banquet that he hoped the Australians would thrash Canterbury soundly for their presumption in playing fifteen. The Times regrets the course decided on, saying that with a little more forbearance on both sides matters might be amicably arranged.