North Otago Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1879.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2082, 4 January 1879, Page 2

North Otago Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1879.

The usual weekly evangelical services will be conducted in the New Tees street Hall, at 8 p m. to-morrow. The services of the Congregational Church meeting, in the Volunteer Hall, will be conducted to-morrow, morning and evening, by the Rev. Mr Robins. A trial of Messrs Reid and Gray's combined reaper and binder will take place in a paddock near Mr Thomas Shaldera', North Road, this morning at 10 o'clock. Those desirous of witnessing the peiformance of the local made machine will no doubt take advantage of the opportunity afforded to-day. The vital statistics for the past month are as follows . — Births, 37 ; marriages, 8 ; deaths, 4. For December, 1877, the numbers were respectively 36, 6, 3. The totals for the past year are : — Births, 406 ; marriages, 94 ; deaths, 92. For the preceding year the totals were respecti rely 416, 74, and 90. The following members of the Excelsior Cricket Club have been chosen to play in the match Eleven v. Eighteeu this afternoon :— Eleven : Messrs Atherson. Cooke. Davis, Ferens, Fenwick. A. O. Hardy, Howarth, Kett, Marshall, Snow, and W. Todd. The eighteen will be chosen from the following : Messrs Bannerman, Barclay, Baxter, Church, Colborne, Filleul, Gifford, A. E. Hardy, A. G. Hardy, A. Hartley, E. Hewat, T: Hewat, Lemon. Little, H. Moore, D. Moore, A: M'Leod, J. M'Leod, A. Robinson, A. G. Robinson, Sellar, Tarawhiti, Weir. Some of the members of the Otago Caledonian Society are the heads of large families (says yesterday's Daily Times). The tickets of membership admit the holder and his family, and one gentleman who presented himself for admission on New Year's Day was " family man" to the number of seventeen. The worthy Secretary was impolite enough to insinuate that one or two had been borrowed for the occasion, a suggestion that appeared to hit the right nail on the head, for the gentleman at once speculated in a few admission tickets. A complaint has reached us concerning the time of closing the mail for places beyond Duntroon. Mails are closed for those places at 2.50 p.m. the day previous to their being forwarded ; while for Duntroon itself they close on the morning of the day they are sent. It is asked — could it not be arranged that the mails for Duntroon and places beyond be forwarded at the same time, viz. , on the morning of each Wednesday. We bring the matter before the postal authorities. No doubt they will apply the remedy asked for. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M., Richard Akers was charged on remand with leaving his wife without making provision for her support. Mr O'Meagher appeared for plaintiff, and asked that an order might be made for maintenance. The parties had only been married about two months, and plaintiff stated that her husband had sold nearly all the furniture she was possessed of when they were married, had refused to work, and had then deserted her. In his defence, accused said his wife had, he had been informed, borne a very bad character for some years, and he had on more than one occasion found her guilty of grojs impropriety. He had therefore left her. His Worship said the accused had evidently married the woman for the sake of the little property the possessed, and must have been aware at the time of his marriage what sort of character she bore, H« would therefore make an order for the payment of 15s per week. In the udgment summons case Spence and Bee v. Urquhart, claim for

goods supplied, defendant was ordered to pay the amount of the debt in one month ; in default, 21 day's imprisonment. Finch k Co ; v. Morrison—claim, L 2 3i 6d, ; judgment for plaintiff by default. The stewards of the Waimate Jockey Club have taken into consideration the matter of the running of Lady Ellen in the Free Handicap and Waimate Cup. A meeting was hold, and the following resolution was passed :— " That although there are grave doubts as to whether Lady Ellen was fairly ridden in l>oth races, the evidence is scarcely sufficient to disqualify the mare, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the owner, rider, and the Christchurch and Duuedin Jockey Clubs " We can only express our regret that the stewards could not see their way clear to give a more tangible expression of their opinion. A special general meeting of the Oamaru Early Closing Association was held last evening at Gordon's Rooms, Tees street, Mr Dick, who was sent from Dunedin as a special representati^jp from the Early Closing Association in that town, being unanimously voted to the chair. After some very encouraging remarks regarding the movement in Dunedin, he advised the Association to make further efforts to obtain their object, aud not to be daunted by any drawbacks. The minutes of the previous meet- [ ing were then read and confirmed, after [ which Mr Rodgers was elected secretary pro [ tern in place of Mr Parker. It was determined that the Association push forward with fresh vigor the resolutions of the last meeting, namely, to call on the employers asking them to close at 9 p.m. on Saturdays. A vote of thanks was then proposed to Mr Parker for his past efforts, which was briefly acknowledged. The meeting then closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. On January Ist, the Primitive Methodist Sunday Schosl held their picnic at Kakanui . It was a bright sunny morning, just such as helped those bent on enjoying themselves to accomplish their object. The place chosen was the elevated ground on the south side of the Kakanui river, a place which, for that purpose, it would be difficult to surpass. Through the kindness of Captain Matheson, boats were placed at the disposal of the school, which greatly added to the enjoyment of the day. They were not disturbed all the day, for, though the clouds assumed a threatening aspect, very little rain fell, and they were able to complete the sports, &c, before sunset. Hearty cheera for the Captain, by way of thanks, concluded the proceedings, and the conveyances, being carefully loaded, are soon on the way for Oamaru, the parties singing their songs as merrily as when they started in the morning. The school wishes to convey its warmest thanks to those parties who have kindly contributed. It has been pointed out to us that clause 40, of the Sheep Act, 1878, the provisions of which came into force on the Ist of the current month, is likely to operate to the great disadvantage of dealers in f.\t sheep more particularly. The clause reads shortly thus : — Sheep introduced from a clean district to a clean district, or from an infected district to an infected district, must be certified as clean and seven days' notice must be given to the Inspector of the district into which they are to be introduced, stating the d«y on which and the point at which it is intended that they shall cros3 over boundary. The penalty for neglect is fixed at not exceeding LI OO, and not less than LlO. It must be at once apparent that not only will it operate very considerably to the detriment of persons having sheep to dispose of, and to whom it is necessary that the conditions, no less than the meansof transport, should be as favorable as possible ; but that it will entail on the Sheep Inspectors an amount of work which it is beyond the bounds of reason to expect they can perform. For instance, it may happen that three different owners may desire to bring thsir sheep into the district at three different points on one given day; in which case, either two of the owners would have to submit to wait the convenience of the third, and the first that of the second, or the Inspector would have to execute the rather difficult task of putting himself in three places at once. Th:s at least is what we would infer from the wording of the latter portion of the clause. The first objection raised to it will, however, have the most weight with flockowners, and certainly it is a serious oue. We understand that a memorial to the Government is being got up at Timaru, praying for a modification of the clause, and that a similar step is in contemplation here. By the 2nd clause, the Governor can by proclamation suspend the operation of certain clauses in the provinces of Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, and Marlborough, but no provision is made for the exercise of such power in the case of Otago. We presume, therefore, that no remedy can be obtained till next session. In the meantime, it would be well that all the necessary preliminary steps to secure the desired concession should be taken. It is a singular and melancholy coincidence (writes the Ashburton Mail), which has generally escaped notice, that the lamented death of H.R.H. Princess Alice occurred on the seventeenth anniversary of the death of her father, the Prince Consort, who died on the 14th December, 1861, and Princess Alice on the 14th December, 1878, almost at the same hour. It may be recollected, as a second curious coincidence, that when the Prince of Wales was so dangerously ill with typhoid fever six years ago, the crisis of the disease was passed on the same day, and about the same hour, the passing of the ominous date being watched for on that occasion with a natural degree of superstitious dread. The 14th December thus becomes a day of triple mark in the history of the Royal Family of England. A woman named Bridget Connolly committed suicide in a most determined manner at Auckland on Thursday last. The deceased was supposed to be a reformed drunkard, and for some years had led an orderly life in Newton. On Wednesday morning a little girl informed the police that deceased had taken poison. Dr Young was sent for, and the woman was removed to the Hospital, but she was beyond recovery. It appears she rose very early in the morning, and asked her husband for money to buy drink with, but he refused. She then said she would kike a ' ' bitter cap " before the day was out, and subsequently she got a bottle of carbolic acid, poured the contents into a cup and drank it. The only words she uttered after help came were, " Damn the drink. "' Her husband says she resumed drinking on Christmas Day, when she left home with L3O, and was afterwards found drunk in Chancery lane with only L 7. The last of the giants of East Anglia has recently died a 1 ; the age of fifty- four. Ben Daniels was a farmer at Scratby on the coast near Yarmouth, five miles from the home of the famous Norfolk Giant, Hales, and measured Bft. 6in. in height and 40 inches across the shoulders, and weighed 24 stone. He was so powerful as to carry four bushels of wheat under each arm, and in busy times he would harness himself to a harrow and work his fields. A rival to General Tom Thumb is now at Calcutta. He is a Hindustani Brahmin from Cuttack, is only three feet in height, and declares himself to be thirty-six years of age, while not looking more than eight years of age. The little fellow is well proportioned and handsome, and appears quite satisfied with himself. He is employed at Cuttack, says the Times of India, as " mounted orderly" to a Sahib. The smallest pony in the world also is now in the possession of the youngest Maharajah of Puttiala. According to the description in a Lahore jonrnal, the tiny animal came from Nepaul, and though it stands only eight inches high, is the perfect miniature of a well bred horse. This Lilliputian wonder is fit to be the steed of the Mexican dwarf who has appeared at San Francisco. Lucia Zarate at twelve yeara old,, is only twenty-one inches in height, and weighs about five pounds ; her feet are three inches long, and her hands an inch and a quarter broad. Lucia can get into an ordinary chimney-pot hat, and put her hand through a finger ring, while her plothing seems intended for a doll. Tom Thumb was twice Lucia's size at the same age, and the wee damsel is said not to have grown at all »mc© she was a year old.

The condition of the working people in any country is beat told bv the statistics of savings' banks. On more than on* occasion we indicated our belief (sayr an Auckland exchange) that the cause of the so-called dulness was more due to overtrading than to any want of spending power on the part of the working men. The bank returns bear out this view, and we learn that during the three months ending the 30th September last the working classes were able to deposit no less a sum than L 27.047 13s 7d— an amount nearly equal to LlO.OOO a month. Mr Gladstone, visiting King William's College, in tho Isle of Man, the other day, made a speech in which he impressed strongly upon the boys the importance of taking every advantage of the passing time, cautioning them not to let it slip through thoir lianas, but to let every hour produce fruits of an enduring character. " Play earnestly," said he, "among yourselves, and let your work always be earnest." They all must be resolute and manly in whatever God had sent them to do, as the principle of , courage, duty and perseverance were requisite for mauhood. The Bulletin de I' Association de St. Francois de Sales mentions among the most recent cures effected by tho agency of the late Pope Pius IX., that of an Augustine nun at Sienna, who was cured of a bad cancer in the face by the application to it of a portrait of Pius IX. ; and that of a medical man at Malaga, who was cured of a number of diseases by touching an old stocking of Pius 1X.,. and who took immediately an oath never to apply to his clients any other means jof cure but that which had succeeded so well with himself. In Texas a still-born child was brought to life by the touch of a cross blessed by Pius IX . ; and in the convent of the Enfant Jesus at Coire, near Lyon*, a nun who had a cancer in the tongue and serious internal disease, invoked one night, while suffering acute pains, the aid of tie late Pope, and, after being comforted by his apparition, was found completely cured next morning. The cures are cited, among others to make good the claim of immediate beatification set up for Pius IX. The Melbourne Herald of the 19th instant has the following: — "One of those extra* ordinary circumstances, which persons wilt be disposed to regard as a manifestation of Divine Providence, and others less credulous as a simple coincidence, or a physiological phenomenon, happened yesterday in Little Collins street. A married woman, named Margaret Taylor, who is living with a man in Coromandel Place, was suddenly struck blindundercircumstances of a peculiar nature. The afflicted, who, we learn, is a woman of extremely violent temperament, and has never, as far as can be ascertained, shown any ocular weakness before the occurrence, while in a paroxysm of anger, called on God to strike her blind. In about five minutes afterwards she found herself unablt to see, and it was discovered that the organ of vision was totally destroyed . As soon as her lather, who is a waggoner, heard of the occurrence, he took his daughter to his pUce of residence, where ahe is now no doubt under medical treatment." The discovery of a new island in the Polar Seas (says the London Times) is announced by the following telegram from Tromso :—": — " E. Johannessen, who has just returned there, reports that he penetrated a considerable diatance to the east, beyond Novaj* Zemija. On September 3rd, in longitude 66 E and 77.35 N. latitude, he discovered an island which he has named ' Ensomheden ' (loneliness). It is about ten miles long, and level, the highest point not exceeding 100 feet. It was free from snow, with poor vegetation, but an immense quantity of birds. The sea was free from ice towards the west, north, and south, but drift ice was seen towards the south-cast. There was evidence that the Gulf Stream touched the west coast of the island; the Stream runs a strong current rouud the north coast towards the southeast. Everything about the ice was favorable to navigation so long as the vessel did not go too near the mainland of Siberia." The newly-discovered island lies, therefore, somewhat to the south-east of the region visited by the Austrian Expedition of 1873-4. Referring to the seamen's strike about which we have heard so much, a telegram to the Sydney Evening News says :- There were about 1500 persons on the wharf when the Boomerang arrived. The crowd threw back the ropes repeatedly, and refused to allow the ship to have communication wit a the wharf. At the request of the captain the lady passengers were then allowed to land. The gangway was then thrown off, and the crowd threatened a riot, and hooted the Chinese, who thereupon went below. The ve3sel put out into the stream. Last night stones and refuse were thrown upon deck, to the peril of the officers and crew. Two of the steamers' warps were cut last night. A special meeting of the magistrates was held last night, at which Sub-Inspector Collopy was severely censured for not preserving order at the mo»ring of the vessel. The meeting decided to leave the police to protect the seamen while discharging the vessel, and if necessary to swear in special constables. The crew of the Buoyip, steam tender, struck, preventing the tender from going to the bar for the Torres Straits and coast mails. The police were protecting the crew while unloading the Boomerang.