Local and General News.

Marlborough Express, Volume VIII, Issue 486, 29 March 1873, Page 5

Local and General News.

The Carandini Family commenced a series of Concerts at Nelson on Monday last. The Nelson Provincial Council will open its session on April 30.

The Wallace, which left here on Thursday afternoon, arrived m Wellington at 10 o'clock on the same evening. She left again on her return at 4 p.m. yesterday ; and is intended to leave here for Nelson this afternoon at 3 p.m.

Tuesday next is famous not only as being the Ist April, but as the commencement of the cluck season. Our sporting friends -will then be quite at liberty to 3hoot as many as they can catch, and what is more, to bring them to town for sale m broad daylight.

• The Wellington Provincial Council will open ifcs session on April 30,

To those who can justly appreciate a really intellectual evening, the announcement of Miss Aitken's arrival here will be especially gratifying. We can safely say that m this hemisphere at least, she is the queen of elocutionists ; it some years since we had the opportunity of hearing her m another province, and we look forward to another treat with peculiar pleasure. We trust our readers will participate ia the same enjoyment on this "and Monday evening. .

Cattle Sale. — Messrs N. Edwards and Co. sold on Saturday last the Birch. Hill Cattle and Horses. The prices realized were for Steers and Heifers from 32s 6d to 55s ; Cows m milk; with calves, from 66s to £8 10s ; Draught Horses from .£l2 to £36 ; and Hacks from £8 15s to £16.

Last evening we learned from a private telegram received from Nelson that .Mr Emerson's Wild Boy won the Hack Race, and also that when Mr Robinson presented himself on be] half of Magenta, the winner of the Consolation Stakes, the Stewards declined to hand them over on the grounds that Magenta had been entered too late, and this notwithstanding that they had not only received the entrance money and handicapped him, but started him for the race, and declared him the winner. The case was to be settled m the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The Office Seekers. —Mr Henry Dodson has come to fclie rescue, although* late m the field, that is to say m his proper person. He says :— " The Express has many time 3 stated, and Mr Samuel Johnson, as telegraph agent, has further circulated a report ' that some members of the Deputation had applied for the offices held by Mr Eyes.' This is totally untrue. No member of the Deputation made any such application, either for himself or friend, and there is reason to think Mr Johnson knew this when he spread the silly rumour." — This, a3 well as several other points m the same letter, conduce to make us say with somewhat bated breath that Mr Dodson is a bold man. We put it mildly when we say he is bold, since ne knows, or ought to do by this time, that we never yet made a direct or positive statement without feeling quite satisfied as to its correctness ; and moreover he replies f° r several other persons as if he represented the whole. We shall not find fault with his doing so because that is expected from him. Nevertheless we repeat our former statement, re-asserting its correctness, and will even go further and say that one of the Deputation actually waited upon the Superintendent, and solicited his Honor's recommendation and support m getting a gentleman (who is a mutual friend with the Deputation) nominated for the offices held by Mr Eyes, and moreover upon the Superintendent refusing to comply with his wishes, he had the audacity to threaten to oppose him m Provincial politics. •Another member of the Deputation has m the same manner canvassed members of the Provincial Execntive to similarly recommend for the same offices a gentleman who is generally understood to be the leader of the' Deputation affair, but behind the scenes. We are not at present authorised to affix any names to this statement, nor do we wish to force these gentlemen into particular prominence, therefore Mr Dodson will probably excuse us from giving them, but the public may rest quite assured that our statement is fact, and not mere assertion like Mr Dodson's.

Mr Joseph Bhodes of Napier has sold his station to Mr Rich and auother Dunedin gentleman for .£30,000.

The particulars of an extraordinary yield from a recent threshing have been communicatad to the Gipps Land, Times by a Briagolong correspondent :— " From seven acres of oats 112 bags were obtained, being an average of nearly 70 bushels to the acre. The wheat yielded 45 and the barley over 50 bushels to the acre. The land from which this rich return was obtained was well tilled and the scarifier used before the grain was sown."

Wanganui telegrams of March 24th say that Mr Lebhbridge's wool shed at Turakina, containing a large quantity of lamb's wool, a valuable threshing and. winnowing machine, valued at A l5O, a wool press, a large quantity of oats and potatoes, and some farming implements, has been totally destroyed by fire between 3 and 4 o'clock on Sunday morning. A man named James Dunkley has been arrested on suspicion of incendiarism. The loss is es- ' timatecljat .£2,000. The property was uninsured.

Mr Conolly v. the Express. — The following letter appears iii the Picfcon Press of Wednesday, and we reprint it for the information of our readers : — "Sir.— ln a paragraph m the Express of the 22nd ins^., re"err"ng to the libel cases. Eyes v. Henderson and Dodson, it is stated that the cause of delay m these actions lies with the defendants, who were unable to proceed to trial m January last ; the inference being that the plaintiff was ready, although the defendants were not. This was not the fact, as the following dates will show. The writs and declarations were delivered on the 3rd Decembar ; and one defendant' delivered his plea on the 9fch, and the other on the 11th of that month. The next step, delivery of replication, had to be taken, by the plaintiff. If it had been taken at once, and had been a mere formal traverse, the case might possibly have been ready for trial at Nelson, where the Circuit Court commenced on the_ 6th January ; but the replication was not delivered until the 13th January, and was accompauied by demurrers, or objections m point of law to several parts of the plea. The defendants joined m demurrer on the 17th January. The vacation of the Supreme Court extends from tke 25th January to the 10th March inclusive, during which time, therefore, the demurrers could not be argued ; bat my agents were fully instructed by the lOfch instant, so that no time might be lost. I have this day received from the plaintiff's solicitors further grounds for demurrer m addition to those delivered on the 13th January. These are dated the 2lst instant ; showing, therefore, that up to that date the plaintiffs solicitor was not ready to argue the points of .law which must precede the submission of the facts to a jury. — I am, &c, Edwd. T. Conolly, Solicitor for the ' defendants.— Picton, March 24, 1873." " .

Middleton, a cattle dealer at Geelong, has been committed for trial for an extensive forgery.

Tinsley, importing ironmonger of Melbourne, has been fined £500 by the Customs for importing under false invoices.

The Southern Cross says that the statement circulated some time asjo about Mr Yogel suffering from angina pector is is quite unfounded.

The Chief Clerk of the Warden's Court at the Thames, has been arrested on a charge of embezzling £40.

It is reported that silver has been found m almost a pure state at the '. Upper Shotover.

A telegram from M'C'ulloch to Melbourne confirms the American news regarding the refusal of the subsidy and the withdrawal of Webb's boats.

A new ' petroleum spring lias been discovered by a native at Waipn, near the Easb Cape. The oil is very abundant, and a sample has been sent to Dr Hector.

A flax mill belonging to Messrs Roe and McDonnell, at Lower Rangitikei, Wellington, was burned on the night of the 4th. Origin of the fire is unknown.

The Christchurch agent for the Press Association was dismissed for sending a distorted ielegrain with" refereuce to Mr Beeves' meeting on the 7th instant.

Wairau Horses. — The Wellington correspondent of the Wanganui Herald says the races were a gift to Mr Redwood, but of this we don't complain — his horses were the best on the course, and they took the money. Anything else would have been unfair.

Farmers are neglecting a mine of wealth or foregoing niue-tenths of its profits m neglecting their poultry, because fowls are a kind. of live stock concerning which the least is understood and the most faulty management is practised. — Farmers' Caronide.

The latest attempt at a joke has been made by the "Wairarapa Standard m this way : —"Immigration Extraordinary. —The Government, not satisfied with the supply of Scandinavians to hand, have just advertised for a thousaud Poles.

At the sale of grand stand and sites for booths at Nelson Races, the gates realised £49, grandstand £23, grand stand refreshment room £15 10s, and seven booths rates varying from £1 to £10. Total, £122 10s.

The recommendation of the Oounty Council of Westland that the number of Wardens m the county shall be reduced, has been adopted by the General Government, and m consequence it is understood that Wardens Price and Alymer will retire. —Post.

Under the heading ' • A telegraph Feat/ the Taranaki Herald records the fact that '•' a telegram sent from the Bluff dated 8 a.m., 7tli March, reached New- Pis mouth at 550 p.m. on the Sfch, taking nearly thirty-live hours m transit." .

The Lord Mayor of London (Sir S. H. Waterlow) and the Lady Mayoress entertained 186 of their immediate relations at the MansionHouse on Christinas Day. His Lordship's father, who is m his 83rd year, dined at the same table with his 13 children, 49 grandchildren, and 14 great grand-children.

The "Nelson Colonist." — Since Mr D. M. Luckie quitted the editorial char of the above journal it lias had to put up witli a vicarious supply of editorial supervision. In order, to keep it properly written up, until a good permanent editor can be secured, Mr William Hutchison, formerly editor of this journal has consented to fill the gap. We think he will find Nelson a niost congenial field for his talents, and we shall look forward for our future files of the Colonist with great interest to see how Mr Hutchison fills so versatile a writer's chair as that of Mr Luckie m the Colonist office. The Nelson Examiner is strongly given to discussing theological subjects, and does so m a manner very likely to bring out the new editor of the Colonist, who can wield a very pungent pen on occasions of the kind. — Wanganui Chronicle.

A Foxton telegram m the Post dated March 21st says : The flax store attached to Johnston's mill, -was totally, destroyed by fire at midnight. The building containing a quantity of dressed flax, machinery, and hydraulic press, and the office adjoining, were consumed. The manager was temporarily absent at Rangitikei. The books were saved by the efforts of Collins, the manager's brother. The mill, 20 feet distant, was saved by the strenuous exertions of the natives and inhabitants. Fortunately the wind assisted their endeavors, otherwise total destruction would have resulted. Stoppage of the works will be only temporary. The los 3is very considerable, and at present impossible to calculate. Origin of the fire unknown, but supposed to be accidental. The property was not insured. It is feared tho machinery is irreparable. Ruins still burning.

PiATHFU an important trial for cattle stealing took place at the Koma (Queensland) District Court on the 1 lth tilt. The indictment charged one Henry Bedford with feloniously stealing 100 bullocks, 100 cows, 100 heifers, and one bull, the property of Messrs Morehead and Young, from a station called Boweri Downs, m the Mitchell district of Queensland. The evidence clearly proved that a large mob of cattle depastured on the Thompson river were found to be missing iv May, 1868, amongst which was a very remarkable white bull, wbich was afterwards discovered m South Australia, ICOO miles distant from the place where he had been missed. The sale of the bull to the party then m possession of if; was clearly traced to the' prisoner m such j, manner as to leave no reasonable doubt that he was the party. The jury however, after an hour's consultation, brought m a verdict of " not guilty." Aftei- requesting the foreman to repeat it, the judge observed, c: Thank God, gentlemeD, that verdict is yours, not niine." The costs of the witnesses m the case,- it iV stated, were over £000.

" Send us wives," is the piteous plea that comes from Washington territory, and »aturally the question arises, "Whose wives shall we send ?" *

A fire occurred at Mangere the other day, which destroyed tbi*ee stacks of hay, the property of Mr James Wallace. The origin of the fire is unknown.

A girl, aged fifteen, escaped from the Melbourne Industrial .School the other day, and oh being re-captured produced, as an irrefragable proof of her independence, a marriage certificate. The proof was admitted.

Sheep Sale. — W- Stavert & Co. held a sale at Richmond on March 19, about 500 fat weathers sold m one lot fetched 12s 6d per head. Several small lots of ewes were bought m, 7s to 0s being the highest price offered. A few fat cattle fetched from £5 10a to £7 10s.

Station Sales. — The Grange and Matapiro stations, consisting of 1500 acres of freehold, and 25,600 acres of leasehold land, with 24,000 sheep, the properties of Mr J. Rhodes, have been sold to Messrs Calcutt, Harris, aud Rich, of Otago, for £3,000.

The New Zealand Gazette contains a letter from Mr Parkes, Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, stating that the report that the foot and mouth disease exists iv that colony is wholly without foundation.

A meeting was recently held at Toljoniairiro to consider the advisability of founding an hospital m the district. An original idea m opposition to the proposal was that of a gentleman who demurred on the ground that the district already had to maintain four religious establishments. — Independent.

The latest addition to the number of locally owned vessels is the Florence, a smart little ketch of about 12 tons, purchased J>y Mr Turner m Wellington for the purpose of running between the claim owned by tne Turner Gold Mining Company and Pictou. If looks have anything to do with speed, convenience, or safety, the Florence should possess all three, for she appeal's as trim a craft as visits the port, and is eminently adapted for the purpose for which she was bought. — Press.

At an artists' anniversary supper at Auckland Mr Luckie m responding to the toast of the Press, spoke m glowing terms of the benign influences of arfc. He also referred to .the scenery around Auckland as of the most delightful description, equal to any that he had witnessed m any part of the world, even m Anld Reekie. He considered that Auckland was one of the most beautiful spots under the blue heaven, and especially formed by creative wisdom to be the ocean-circled home of the artist and the poet. — Auckland Star.

In noticing the opening of the new theatre at Wellington, the Independent reporter says: — "'The aristocracy of the city -were strongly represented, . and of course the camp followers of ' society ' were there m force, represented by ex-colonels, ex-captains, ex-majors, bergamoited daudies, and all the forms of supercilious inflateduess, which was very useful m the way of showing what it takes to make up the wo. Id.

New Use foe Flax.— At o late meeting of the Dublin Microscopic Societj 7 , Professor M'Nab gave some details of his examination of the "vegetable hair " (brought forward by Dr Frazer at a previous meeting), now much used for the manufacture of " chignons," and forming a beautiful glossy " hair " capable of being dyed any (fashionable) colour ; Dr M'Nab, however, had arrived at the conclusion that this_was produced from the New Zealand flax, the fibres being used m the rough, the finer portions not being eliminated.

The Hon. Mr. Vogel.— Mr. McGillivary, M,H.E., iv addressing his constituents at Riverton, said : — "Regarding ilie financial couditiou of the country, the total debts of the colony amount to about ten millions, from which has to be deducted accrued sinking fund of about half a million. Now, of these nine and a half millions, over seven millions were raised before the Fox Government came into offica. People talked of Mr Vogel's reckless expenditure, but what were the facts ? What was actually raised by the Fox- Vogel Ministry? Why, £1.600,000 for Public Works aud Immigration, and £600,000 for Defence and other purposes ; ai;d of the former sum, more than the half was still unspent, and to the credit of the colony for public works during the curreut year. With regard to Mr Yogel, he would take the occasion of saying that he had attained his present position by his great abilities and wonderful industry, and iv spite of enseless prejudices against him."

John "Wells was arraigned at New Plymouth and pleaded guilt}' to the charge of nob having fully and truly discovered his property at his examination m Bankruptcy. Mr tStandish said that, with the permission of the Court, he would refrain from offering evidence m the indictment for perjury. A jury having been empannelled, a formal verdict of " not guilty was found by the direction of the judge to get rid of the indictment, a3 the prosecution had been directed by an order of the Court. Mr Hughes addressed the Court m mitigation of punishment. The Judge said that up to the present time he had failed to perceive' one redeeming feature m the character and conduct of the prisoner. He had behaved m a grossly dishonest way to his ci'editors, m a basely ungraceful manner to his benefactor, Mr Sfcavert, and he treated the Court with unparalleled impudence. Now at last, however, ho seemed to have become aware of the folly of the struggle he was maintaining with the patience of the Court, the fixed determination of those whom lie had wronged to bring him to justice,' and the inexorable logic of the truth. The Court would recognise the fact, that ho had at last admitted his oiteucc, and it would not feel itself constrained, as it otherwise would have done, to inilicbupon him the full sentence of three years' imprisonment. Nevertheless, it must mark its sense of the taukiupVs cciid itt by awarding a severe, substantial, and exemplary sentence. He must be imprisoned m the common gaol at New Plymouth, and kept to hard labor for the term #i two years,

One of the results of the late Hutt races has been that one good mare, at least, brought here to run remains m the province. Mr Redwood's Simplicity, the winner of three races, has been purchased, the Wanganui Herald says, by Mr James Stent, and is at present at the Aramoho stables.: — Post.

Accident. — An accident occurred last; night to a man m the employ of Messrs N. Edwards and Co., named Richards, while at the malt-house m Alton-street, by which he sustained a fracture of the bone'of the left leg, near tue ancle joint. Dr Cotterell was called m, and the limb was set. Fortunately for the patient he is a member of the Foresters Society ; and another instance is furnished of the desh'ability of a working man being a member of excellent fraternities of this kind. — Colonist, 21st.

Relic from the Arctic Regions. — The interest m the fate of the late Sir John Franklin and the expedition which accompanied him, has again been revived by the reception m England of an almost entire male skeleton, discovered m the Arctic regions by Hall the American explorer. It appears that the bones m question were taken to America, and presented by the discoverer to one of our geographical societies, the members of which gave them m return to Hear- Admiral Inglefield, C.8., late English naval attache at Washington, who despatched them to the London Admiralty. The bones are those apparently of a fine grown man of about five feet eight inches m height, and one of the teeth was found stopped with gold, which would indicate that the remains were those of an officer especially as a piece of a fine "jersey" was also discovered close to them.

A special telegram to the Anglo-Austra-lian Press Association, announcing the defeat of the Gladstone Ministry on the Irish Uuiversity Bill, was sent from London at midnight of the 12th, and reached Queenscliff just m time to catch the Albion. The bill referred to, as far as can be made out from previous telegrams, was intended to deprive Trinity College, Dublin, of its uuiversity powers, and to bestow its funds, together with . some property lately belonging to the Irish Church, upon a new University, having a number of colleges affiliated to it, and ruled by a governing body of 28 members, chosen irrespective of their religious belief. The majority against the Governmentwas a very narrow one— 2B7 to 2S4 — but it was a fair trial of strength between the two parties m Parliament, and has resulted m Mr Gladstone's resignation, Lord Granville, it is stated, will probably endeavor to reconstruct the Ministry. — Post.

A number of gentlemen from amongst personal friends of Mr Isaac Carley, of the Bank of New Zealand, who is about to leave Wellington, taofc at the Union Hotel on Thursday evening to determine upon the most suitable manner m which to testify their appreciation of the personal worth of that gentleman. After a short discussion it was determined that the proposal should asume the form of a supper, which will take place on Tuesday evening next. Mr Carley 1 proceeds m a few days to Napier to fill a higher position m connection with, the Bank, for which his ability and. long service marked him as most eligible. A numerous committee was -appointed to arrange the'supper, and already the tickets have gone off with a rapidity that renders it necessary to make provision for a number whose presence will form a most gratifying tribute to the esteem m which Mr Carley is held. — hidependent, 22nd. — [The dinner which was provided by Donnecker, took place at the Masonic Hall last evening (Tuesday), and was very largely attended. The chair being occupied by His Worship the Mayor of Wellington.]

In spito of the tearful assurances of Mr Stafford and Sir David Monro, the colony is prosperous, and the work of government is proceeding as smoothly and well as any Government can expect to make it. Probably the House will find that the administration of public works for instance, has been thoroughly efficient, and that many useful reforms have been effected m the civil departments, and considerable savings of expenditure secured. The finances will not afford much ground for complaint, but Mr Yogel must know that there is a crop of subjects which will test the strengths his position very considerably, and he will fiud himself sadly wautiug m debating p.jy. cr. His trusty henchman, Mr Fox, is no doubt a host iv Linself upon occasion, but Mr Fox oil' the Treasury b^jich is not so useful as Mr Fox upon it. Amongst his own colleagues there is not one who could be considered a good debater if we except Mr Bathgate, who may upon special subjects rise to the position. But for standing the hard knocks of a hostile opposition, and returning blow for blow, the Government bench is very deficient. Some consolation may be found m the utterly disorganised condition of Mr Stafford's party, if party he can be said to have. If there arc some difficulties m the formation of a strong Ministry by Mr Yogel, they are nothing to what Mr Stafford would have to encounter. — Independent.

Shocking Deatf". — The police received information last night, from the constable at Feathorstcn, th:>t an inquest; was held on the 17th, at the Waihenga Hotel, on the remains of a man named James Noble, which were found under a ilax bush on the 14th by some men m the employ of the Hon. Mr Waterhouse. The deceased had stolen a case of brandy from the dray of Mr Walker, the carrier, and the empty case and bottles were found with the remains. The deceased had been missing since the 11th of October, but as he was known to have left Waihenga suddenly on a previous occasion, no notice was taken of his absence. The verdict at the inquest was : — That the said James Noble left Waihenga Ferry House, Waihenga Wairarapa, on the 11th of October, 1872, and that his remains were found at Waihenga on the 14th of March, 1573, together with the remains of a cisc of brandy. The jury are of opinion that the said James Noble, on leaving tlie Ferry House, died' from, excessive drinking, and not from violence committed to the said James Nolle. The jury, not being m possession of any evidence how he cause by the case of brandy, think those from whom he got it to blame for not having made it public, so that the inhabitants might have been aware of the cause of his absence, and have, under those circumstances, united together and formed a party for hi 3 search, and probably have sayeel his life, .

A new Evening paper is about to be started m Wellington to compete with the Post. It is to be a joint-stock concern, capital £3000, and has an influential directory,

A Whopper. — The Independent says : —"Ship building is making very considerable progress m the province of Marlborough. Five .vessels, of from 40 to 60 tons register, have been launched at the 'Grove,' near Picton, within the last few months.

Civil Service. —A notice m the Gazette intimates that persons requiring copies of the " Regulations for Examination of candidates for the Civil Service," and " Forms of application '" may obtain them m the Province from the Clerk of the Bench, Blenheim.

The escaped convicts, Chamberlain and and Levy, were recaptured at a hut on Russell's run, at the Hurinui Plains, by the police under the Commissioner, on March 17th, and brought into town. They were brought up on Thursday, before Mr Fitzgerald, R.M. Chamberlain v/as summarily sentenced, under the Vagrent3 Act, to twelve months -additional imprisonment, and under the Prison Ordinance Act to be confined m irons during pleasure. A strong impression prevails that the sentence was illegal. There was a great scene m the Court. Both prisoners demanded to be committed for trial, but the Magistrate refused, and threatened to have Levy gagged. Levy was sentenced to 24 hours' solitary confinement for contempt of Court. On Friday another scene occurred. Levy who had been remanded for contempt, asked to be sent to the District Court for trial. The Magistrate refused to do so, and sentenced him to fourteen days for contempt.

Brigham Young (we find it stated m the San Francisco Bulletin) has by popular vote been continued m the office ef Prophet, Seer, and'Eevelator ; but the Mormon people have also elected two other media to communicate " the mind and will of the Lord" to the saints. If significance of this curious election is rightly interpreted by the Gentile papers of Salt Lake, it means that m the event of the death of Brigham, the Mormons intend he shall not be without a successor— that " the Church shall never be left without a Prophet." In ancient times, when 'the Hebrews had their Prophets, these sacred functionaries were thought to be selected and anointed from above. The Mormons, however, pleas themselves by making their own selection by ballot, trusting to the spirit, doubtless, to control the ballots. The new prophets are George A. Smith and the mayor of the city of Salt Lake. Prophet Smith is to go to Jerusalem on a proselytising errand at once, and he calls for 3000 dols. m coin to pay his expenses.

A decidedly ludicrous scene took place on the Queen-street Wharf yesterday morning caused, like many other ludicrous scenes, through, the punctuality of the p.s. Golden Grown. The clock had just struck eleveu, when the captain sung out— " Cast off the forespring— full speed astern," and the noble craft coramanced to back out into the stream. Before she had got very far. however, a man rushed frantically to the end of the T, and cried out, " Stop her, captain, stop her j my old woman 's just coming up the •wharf !" But the gallant Farquhar turned a deaf ear to such entreaties, and' sternly bade the man at the wheel to "iniudhis helm." But now auother cry strikes upon the ear— ' ' For Heaven's sake, captain, stop the boat — you've got my che-ild aboard." At the same instant a gentleman is seen rapidly ascending on to the promenade deck, bearing m his arms a child of tender years. Turning to the captain, he entreat 3 him to "stop the ship," and tells him that the baby was handed to him by the man ashore, to hold a minute, while the man himself went back to the wharf to hurry up the " old woman." Captain Farquhar was now on the horns of a dilemma ; if he returned he would break one of the most stringent rules of the company which employed him— if he went on to the Thames he should be encumbered _ with an unknown iafant, which would certainly place him m a very awkward position.^ Besides, the infant could not pay its fare ! The poor pentleman who had possession of the child again besought him, almost with tears m his eyes, to turn back, " For," said he, what would my wife at the Thames think if I landed with the young 'ua !" Added to this, the two parents on the wharf were frantically crying to " Stop the ship— stop the ship !" Captain Farquhar is not a hard man ; hisjieart relented, and he gave the order to reverse the paddles, and again approach the wharf.'— Herald.

Bishop Mohan, on no less an authority than a Pope's, telh a community, m which Freemasons are to be counted by the thousand, and where no small proportion of them are Catholics that Masonry is an institution subversive of religion and civil Government. There is no single o.ie of these Masons who does not know, that no word is ever heard within a Mason's lodge which by even the most strained construction can be made out to be subversive of anything religious or civil. If his Lordship should reply, that this revolutionary impiety is confined .to the inner circles of the order, we reply, first, that being confined to so few and utterly unknown to all but the very highest dignitaries, if this is the object of the Chiefs of Masomy, Masons display a clumsiness m getting their forces ready for action which ought completely to reassure the f riend 3of order and religion, and which fully accounts for the fact that they have done nothing to injure either m the many centuries duriug which thoir order has existed. Secondly, we must credit the Prince of Wales, and nearly all the adult males of the Eoyal Family, with suicidal insanity m affiliating themselves to this iustitution, not less subversive of government than of religion. A member of the Koyal Family was for many years, since the beginning of this century, the Head of the Order m England; and m Scotland, the great nobles, avlio are above ill men interested m maintaining the existing state of things hold all the highest offices m the Grand Lodge. Not only are these princes and nobles members of this It evolutionary' Society, but they actually preside over it and its inner circles. Tho outer world will accept these facts m disproof of onehalf of Bishop Moran's allegations, and receive them as^a fair guage of the truthfulness of the other. Talk of this kind is precisely what our friend meant by supernaturally silly aggressive-ne.-Si — Exchange.

A strong-midned woman m Detroit made the following gentle reply to a politician who had called at her house to get her husband to go to the poll and vote : " No, sir, "he can'fc go ! He's washing now, arid he's got to iron to-morrow, and if he wasn't doing anything he couldn't go. I run this 'ere house, I do, and if any one voted it'll be this same Mary Jane."

(Maori) Splendour. — The Ngatiapa, WiToWheoro's tribe, has just arrived m a gorgeous canoe eighty feet long formed to resemble a huge insect with antennae ten feet long, Ornamented with feathers. The stern-post is like a tail and is twelve feet long, propelled by fifty- two rowers, and carrying about one hundred men. There was a great welcome and dance, and the air is filled with sounds of " Haeremai " and with strong smells.— Star.

In reference to the recent case where the people of Howick let a woman hang for 36 hours, the Auckland Star says :— " We will back Howick against ;the colony. That m this year of grace, and within a dozen of miles of this centre of civilization, a community of such innocents should be discovered passes all comprehension. Parson and constable, magistrate and jury, and people, all seem to have been tarred with the same brush. In eastern villages the people will not interfere with a tiger making a repast on a fellow-villager because the wild beast is sacred. The people of Howick, perhaps, from hereditary instinct, appear to have a similar holy reverence for a rope."

A ghastly accident happened yesterday afternoon, at the corner of Symonds-streeb A number of children were amusing themselves on the footpath, leaving a helpless wee thing sitting quietly m the middle of the road. In a moment a loaded express van came past at a brisk trot; a scream of terror came from the children, butitwas toolate, the remorseless wheel of the express had passed over the neck of the little innocent, completely severing the head from the body. Those who saw the occurrance state that no blame canbeattachedto tbeexpress-drivtr as it was impossible for him to observe the little thing on the road until his horse was close on it. On collecting the melancholy remains the face was observed to wear the same set waxy smile it ever had, and the adjacent ground was horridly bespattered with saw-dust. The little girl that owned it has been bothering her mother ever since to get her a new doll from Hsrris' shop, and promises never to leave the next one lying m the road. — Auckland Star

Liberal Insurance Companies. — The fire brigades have received by the Brechin Castle £600 worth of hose, $c, so as to enable them to utilise the water works when completed. It will be remembered that some months ago the various insurance agents m Wellington agreed to subscribe £700 towards the cost of a steam fire engine, but when ifc was known that the water works would soon be m operation, it was decided to spend the money m suitable hose, &c, instead of on the engine. Somewhere about 1600 feet of hose, capable of bearing a pressure of 1201bs to the square inch (or nearly times mo;e than that the ordinary hand hose bears) has been imported. Hydrants will be placed along the streets at intervals of about 80 yards, and each one is so constructed as to work four branches. From these the brigades will be able to throw water over the highest building m. Wellington, and by working from two hydrants on any building between them they will be able to beat out any fire likely to occur before it could spread very materially. When the water is laid on, the brigades will be able to dispense with the use of the old engines for the principal portion of the city. The engines will, however, still be kept iv order fore use m the more distant parts of Wellington not reached by the water mains. — Poet.

A. correspondent of the Brisbane Courier writes :— By the last mail I received the following account from India of how a husband sought- to cure, his wife's fear of snakes, and the horrible result. I send it down, thiuking perhaps you would like to publish ifc, the gentleman was very fond of snake hunting, his wife had such an aversion to them that she could not bear even to look at one. He thought this all nonsence on his wife.s part, aud determined to cure her of her fear. One clay when he had killed a large boa-constrictor, he brought it home and had ifc m the verandah, and went into dinner (lie was not aware that when a boa is killed its mate always follows wherever it is taken) After diuner, he told his wife he had soinethingto show her, and directly she went into the verandah he jumped back into the room and locked the door. She screamed dreadfully, but he thought she would soon get over ifc, and be cured of her fear. In a few minutes' time he opened the door and what was his horror to find his wife quite dead, and crushed to death by the boa' that had followed his mate without knowsng it. It had such an effect on the gentleman that^he went mad, and is m an asylum at the present day."

Sin David Mu&'ro is apparently a strong supporter of. Separation. In his speech at the Waikouaiti, he said " It had always appeared to him that there was a great incompatibility between the two islands of New Zealand ; that it waa an extremely difficult thiDg to govern the two together ; to devise laws which would suit each island. He instanced the Custdms duties, and said that m many other respects there waa an incompatibility. That was bound to be the case where one island contained a large population just emerging from a state of barbarism, and the other was a purely British Colony." Referring to the civil government. Sir David said "he had taken the trouble to sum up the number of officers. The difficulty of summing up the salaries beat him — it was rather too much arithmetic; but he found that the officers numbered 1579. It was therefore time, he thought, that the Colony should consider whether it could not m some way or other simplify the structure of its civil government." Talking of the folly and danger of Maori representatives, he said, '• I have seldom experienced a stronger disgust than I had at the last Session at seeing the way m which the Maoris were beslobbered by both sides of the House— (Laughter). A boa constrictor- could r.ofc have done it better. But then parties were very nearly balanced, and a brown vote counts as much m a division as a white oue. "

A singular meeting is referred to by the Waikato Times":— A reputed member of the medical profession at Ngaruawahia had acted m a most disgusting manner. The inhabitants felt it desirable that he should leave ; they then called him into the meeting, when the chairman informed him that the. sooner he left the better, both for his own and their sakes. The worthy doctor left yesterday morning, carrying all his instruments, goods and chattels m a pockethandkerchief.

Pleasant Country. — Mr C. Rornilly, a settler on the Pioneer River, North Queensland, has killed fourteen crocodiles within the last eighteen months, varying m size from 14ft long down to a baby of some lOin. This latter after being wouuded was saved alive, kept m a fbotpan, and had to be fed by force. He lived for about six weeks. Other settlers m the same locality are very active m destroying crocodiles, which infest the rivers m this part of the country, prevent bathing, and destroy sheep and young cattle as they cross the streams. It is said that from the vigorous raid being made against them m Queensland the race of crocodiles is by degrees becoming " beautifully le3S."

A recent calculation relative to the principal European languages shows that English is spoke» by 90 millions of persons inhabiting Great Britain and Ireland, North America, the Bermudas, Jamaica, Cape of Good Hope, Australia, Van Dieman's Land, Newfoundland, and the East Indies : German by 55 millions, m their own country, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Russia, North and South America, La Plata, Australia, and the East Indies j Spanish by 55 millions, m Cuba, Mexico, the republics of South America, Manilla, etc ; and French by 45 millions m Prance, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Cayenne and North America.

~"7?$k: Cultuke. — The last Horticultural Show will be remembered for having had exhibited the first specimen of silk spun and reeled m Wanganui. It is very much to be regretted that a special prize was not awarded for this exhibit, for m point of importance to the district it outweighed everything else at the show, and was a token of the beginning of an industry which will one day take a foremost place m the resources of the Colony. The specimen was a very beautiful one, the silk appearing to be of the finest quality. We hope Miss Laird will persevere, and show what can be done m the way of sericulture. There are many who would willingly engage m it if they only had tha necessary knowlsdge and could see the prospect of a return. This is a matter which should receive the attention of tlie Acclimitization Society, and we suggest that at the first meeting the question be considered of offering a reward for a given quantity of silk to be produced next yeai\ There is no occupation, probably, m which the young ladies of Wanganui would find more enjoyment. — Wanganui Herald.

The Chicago Tribune of the 7th December contains the following: — "The game of billiards has been described as one of the arts, and its skilled practitioners are termed professors. That there is a science m billiards there is go doubt, especially as played with the cue ; but ■when it conies to making canons with the nose one is at a loss for a proper expression to describe the same. When Tom Foley sold out his Barnes House billiard-room it came m possession of two jolly Frenchmen, MM. Labo and Provancher, who closed the place for repairs. On last evening occurred the formal opening. One of the principal attractions] was' the announcement that a Frenchman, an amateur, would with his nose play a game of 100 points against any billiard champion of Chicago. The game was played, and it was the most wonderful exhibition ever seen on ' the field of cloth and green ' m Chicago. The French gentleman proved to be none other that M. Charles Maire, a member of the celebrated ' Zigzag ' troupe now performing m one of the numerous "West-side variety halls. His opponent, a skilled player, an attache of Brnnswick's billiard establishment, used a 17-ounce cue ; M. Maire used his nose. - His method of playing is somewhat novel. . First chalking the end of his nasal organ, he is permitted to play with either of the white balls, and to place it as Le^es fit. He then pushes his ball against tho object ball and seldom fails to effect a canon. But it is impossible for him to play with effect, or, m other words, ' Inglish ' his ball. It is m effect a complete push, and nothing more. He ' nurses ' well, and once during the gamejnade a run of nine points.

Good Templars. — There have been vague stories circulated respecting the physical ordeal through, -which a member enters the charmed circle of Good Templars. A speech, . hawever. has bet>n made during the present week by a steady brother of the order, which dispels all doubts, and places Good Templavism m its proper light. From this speech we gather the articles of a Good Templars creed, which m brief are as follows : — I believe m a creator and ruler of all things. 1 reject all intoxicating beverages as pernicious both to body and mind. I believe m the closing of public-houses. I will co-operate with the brotherhood for the abolition of malt kilns. I will endeavor to create a healthy public opinion . I will protest with my vocal powers against the songs of Burns and Moore. I never will sing " Auld Lang Syne." I believe m the dignityjof easy toil. I have no sympathy with chignons. I will buy my tea of a" teetotal shopkeeper. I will not wantonly offend the city bye-laws. I will hold no companionship with George Staines. I will not lift my hat to his Worship the Mayor. I will vote for an honest man when I can find him. I will persist m my efforts towards the establishment of a new moi al world. I will be true to my sweetheart and faithful to my wife. I will never appear as a defendant m the Distiict Court. I will subscribe to the Evening Star. I will not run up a milk score nor defraud my washerwoman. I will join the Volunteers m case the Russians should come. I will go to the church regularly, and regularly leave a silver blessing behind me. I will act accordingly through the week. I will study the proverbs of King Solomon. I will pay my quarterly subscription to order without murmuring. I will save as much money as possible for the exigencies of age, be m all respects a good Templar, and f tick to my colors till I die.—Aud-taiul Star.

President Grant;' in his inaugural speech says he will endeavour to civilise the Indian tribes, but failing that, he will exterminate them.

Potato Rot. — Take the apples that grow «n the potato plant, when fully ripe ; cut them open ; take out the small seeds and dry them. Keep them till the spring ; then sow them m beds like onions ; they will be small at first ; plant again next season, when they will be large and good, and entirely free from disease. This requires to be done at least every fourth season. This plan has been adopted by several farmers with complete success ever since the potato disease commenced. — Southern Cross.

Patea. — A constant stream of settlers is moving into the Patea district, taking with them stock and farming implements! Hawera is fast rising into importance. The natives have commenced to construct the road by the back of Egmont, the fine weather favoring its progr«s3. The only want m Patea is more land for settlers of moderate means, and it is hoped the Government will not delay m disposing of the railway reserve. — Wanganui Herald.