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Marlborough Express, Volume VII, Issue 460, 28 December 1872, Page 7

A house inhabited by a contractor named Oliver, employed on the Picton and Blenheim railway, was destroyed by fire yesterday. Everything in the habitation was consumed. The place where the fire happened was on the side of the swamp between Picton and Xua Marina.— Press. His Honor Judge Richmond left for J,'elson on Sunday last by the Taranaki, having deferred giving judgment in the appeal case heard on Tuesday week last. The case, it will be remembered, was an appeal from the Resident Magistrate’s Court in Blenheim; but as it appears to be a somewhat involved one, his Honor decided that he would give his decision upon the question submitted to him either in Kelson or Wellington. Many will learn with regret that the health of Mr Justice Richmond was very bad during his presence in Picton at the late session, but it is hoped that a change of air will restore him to his usual health.— Press. Tender. —XJ nder the signature of “Homra,”a letter recently appearedin the Christchurch Press charging the Canterbury Provincial Treasurer with having “invariably allowed himself to sink into a deep sleep or at any rate into unconsciousness, when the time comes for the railway employes to be paid.” Mr Beswick, the Provincial Treasurer, referred to the matter in the Council, and said—“ Of course I shall takethe ordinary steps to unearth themiser»ble slanderer, and I shall hold the newspaper responsible for it.”— Post. The Picton Press says the General Government have sent through Mr Seed a letter to Mr Philpotts, thanking him for the measures he so promptly and energetically took to afford relief to the sufferers by the wreck of the City of Newcastle had any such been discovered. When the Harbour Master returned, he sent a report to the Provincial authorities, and we are informed that up to the present time uo acknowledgment has been returned of the receipt of any communication upon the subject. The action of the General Government is in favorable contrast to that of the Provincial Government, if they are judged by this standard. The Jamaica Standard, in its intercolonial summary, speaking of Antigua, says that the 10th day of July last was set apart for the purpose of fasting and' praying for rain. Further, that in the afternoon there was the heaviest shower of rain that “ had visited the island for years.” The rainfall in the city and neighborhood was 282 inches in 24 hours 1 This weather, regarded as a meteorological phenomenon, or as an answer to a prayer, must be taken as something extraordinary. There must have been some mistake in the weather or the rain guage. Six inches a day dh the Isthmus is considered a very wet day. At Colon the rainfall for the year is about from 23 to 24 feet. A steamer from Melbourne visiting our port is of sufficient rarity to be looked upon as an event now-a-days, and the calling of the Rangitoto was accompanied by enough evidence of the value of the trade to lead to the supposition that visits from Melbourne steamers will not be so rare as they have been. The Rangitoto, when she arrived on Friday evening, brought a large (quantity of cargo, but not all that would have come had she been disposed to bring it, as a considerable quantity was shut out at Nelson, to be brought on by the first steamer to this port. As showing how such things stimulate trade, it is rumoured that should the Melbourne steamers continue to call regularly, two persons have decided to erect as many bonded stores, to provide for the requirements of the business expected to spring up. Most of the articles ordered from the Australian Colonies will arrive under bond, and it may not be convenient for importers to clear everything as it arrives, so that the erection of bonded stores will be a necessity, (and will likely prove a paying speculation. — Press.

As, the London season is now at its height, says the J Pall Mall it may have a salutary, if not an exhilarating, effect to call attention to the following passage from a little book called “ The Abominations of Modern Society,” lately published in America, the writer being a clergyman. He thus describes a ball: --“Across the floor they trip merrily. The ligh ts spark! e long th e wall or drop from the ceiling —a very cohort of fire ! The music charms — the diamonds glitter—the feet bound. Gemmed hands, stretched out, clasp gemmed hands. Dancing feet respond to dancing feet. Gleaming brow bends low to gleaming brow. On with the dance ! Flash, rustle and laughter, and imxneasureable merry-making ! But the languor of death comes over the limbs and blurs the sight. Lights lower ! Floor hollow with sepulchral echo. Music saddens into a wail. Light lower 1 The dancers can hardly now be seen Flowers exchange their fragrance for a sickening odor,) such as comes from garlands that have lain in the vaults of cemeteries. Lights lower. Mists fill the room. Glasses rattle as though shaken by sullen thunder. Sighs seem caught along the curtain. Scarf falls from the shoulder of beauty—a shroud ! Lights lower ! Over the slippery boards, in dance of death, glide jealousies, disappointment, despair. Torn leaves and withered garments only half hide the ulcered feet. The stench of smoking lamp wicks almost quenched. Choking damps. Chilliness. Feet still. Hands folded. Eyes shut. Voices hushed. Lights out !” Painful as this picture is, it cannot be denied that—although perhaps slightly exaggerated—it not inaccurately represents in many respects the nightmare of the wearied chaperon as she dozes on an uncomfortable chair in the early hours of the morning.