The Alabama

Manawatu Herald, 16 April 1892, Page 2

The Alabama

The disastrous floods in the State of Alabama recall the disastrous results which flowed, from the " escape " of the steamer Alabama from the Mersey in 1882. The old nigger nursery song depicted the darkie's trip as " I'm going to Alabama with a banjo on my knee" The Briton never appreciated the tune he would have to^pay when he permitted the " Alabama "to leave his port. There "is very little doubt but that owing to the very high feeling in favour of the Southern States in England during the American Civil "War, caused the order for the detention of that celebrated man-of-war to arrive the day alter * she had sailed for sea. The story of her cruise for the two years she was afloat is most interesting, and her ending was also most dramatic. The Alabama got jammed up in the harbour of Cherbourg, by the federal ironclad the Kearsage, a vessel a great deal too large for the steamer of only 900 tons to battle with. However, Captain Senimes getting heartily sick of being such a close prisoner, sent a challenge to the Kearsage to fight him to a finish in the channel. On the the 19th June, 1864, this duel took place with the result that the little boat was sunk and the greater number of the crew drowned, but Captain Semmes and a few others were rescued by an English yacht which had stood by and witnessed the action. In course of time the British taxpayer had to put his hand into his pocket and hand over £8,200,000 to the United States for the little mistake of a day's delay.

it will Be noticed by a perusal of the Borough Council's report that though again there was not a full meeting, yet the Council unanimously agreed to call for tenders for the position of Banger !

Those who desire to nominate members for the Foxton School Committee are reminded that they must be sent to the Chairman not later than eight o'clock on Monday evening.

The School Committee have decided to keep the school closed during next week.

There was a very large attandance at Messrs Stevens & Gorton's monthly stock sale at Bulls on Tuesday, says the Advocate', The sheep entries were good, and there were an exceptionally large number of cattle yarded. Notwithstanding the continued drought the prices brought for sheep were firm. Cattle brought better prioes than for some time past. The familiar voice of Colonel Gorton was again heard, as in his well-known characteristic style he worked the bids from those around him. Before commencing the sales the Colonel briefly expressed his pleasure to those present at being again amongst them, saying that he came back from his travels assured that after all there was no place like New Zea'and.

Plenty of shootists, plenty of shots, but few head of game, seems to have been the experience of the opening of the shooting system yesterday.

A curious error crept into our report of the last meeting of the Borough Council. Mr Startup was credited with having pro>posed the resolution to advertise the drawing of the attention of the householders to the Publio Health Act— whereas it was Mr McMillan. Mr Startup was the only Councillor who demurred to such a course.

The Bradford Observer remarks that complaints deep, if not loud, are from time to time made by wool men as to the amount of sand and dirt Which they buy at the London wool sales ; but now it would seem as if the Australian squatter had found a new blend. In the centre of a bale of colonial woollatelyt>pened up at a shipping combing shed was found a tortoise. It was not a big one, and although it must have been at least four months, and possibly a great deal longer, pent up under th6 enormous pressure to which these bales are subjected, it was not only alive when found but ran about with evident delight in its freedom from restraint.

It is reported that the Orepuki Coal and Shale Company at Invercargill have discovered a valuable seam of coal in their mina. There is an abundance of paraffin shale, which has been tested at the oil works in Scotland, with a result that it shows about 50 gallons of crude petroleum per ton, from 14 to 18 gallons above the average Scottish shales, which are the basis of a great industry.

The Pahiatua Star has the following : — Mr Morton, of Kaitawa, has had a most singular experience, for which there is at present no explanation to be offered. A few days ago he went to Napier on a visit, where he stayed with some friends. Shortly after partaking of food in the house for the first time, he began to feel much indisposed, and by degrees became so ill that medical advioe had to be called in. When the doctor arrived he declared that Mr Morton was suffering from arsenical poisoning. There is not the slightest clue as to how the arsenic got into Mr Morton's system, but the effects of it are plainly noticeable, particularly about the eyes. Mr Morton is however able to get about.

The Commissioner of Taxes Btates that there is nothing in the point raised that the Government have no power under the Land and Income Assessment Act to compel people to make returns till after March 31st, 1898-. .

The Manawatu Times says ;— A number of horses have disappeared from Palmers* ton in a most mysterious manner within the last few weeks. Every enquiry and search has been made for the missing animals by the owners, and the police are now endeavouring to elucidate the mystery.

On the Ist page of this paper is a striking announcement of special shipments of English made Blankets imported for the present season's requirements at Te Aro House, Wellington.

Now these Blankets are specially good value, that is to say, the prices are exceedingly moderate and the qualities are exceedingly good. Our London buyers consider themselves experts on the matter of Blankets, and that is the reason why we give such excellent value and do so large a trade in them at Te Aro House, Wellington.

We have an immense stock of these Blankets in all sizes, not only English but Colonial, and we have a large variety of Colored Blankets, Austrian Bugs, Newmarket Bugs, Ac, &c, at Te Aro,, House, Wellington.

It is very certain that in all drapery articles of house furnishing it would be impossible to find elsewhere such advantages as we are abla to offer the public such as large variety, such moderate prices and such an excellent Carpet and Furnishing Department as there are at Te Aro House Wellington.

Housekeepers, hotelkeepers, stationholders, and all those about to marry should without doubt for their own advantage write or oall at Te Aro House, Wei' lington.

Messrs Robs and Sandford of the Bon Marche, Palmerston North, beg to intimate to their numerous customers in the district, that the additions to their premises are now completed, their first Direct Shipments of Autumn and Winter goods for all Departments, which are on a more extensive scale than on any former season are also to hand and ready to select from, and they respectfully solicit the early inspection of customers, they direct special attention to their stocks in the following Departments viz: — Dressgoods, Mantles, Plush and Scalette Jackets, Ulsters, Millinery and Fanoy goods ; also Flannels and Blankets, General Drapery and Household Furnishing, whioh are now stocked more largely than formerly and in keeping with their extended premises, Boss & Sandford, the Bon March, Palmerßton North.