MISCELLANEOUS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7908, 26 February 1894, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Princess of Walos has purchased a painting from a young liristol artist named ililes, who, losing both arms in a tram accident, holds tho brush in his mouth while painting, Tho Karl of Essox lias boon married to an American brido. At tho ceremony, which took place at St. Margaret's, Westminster, Sir Arthur Sullivan accompanied his own anthom " Sing, 0 Heavens 1" on tho organ. A Bill which has just received Royal absont raises tho sum a person cun doposit in tho Post Oflico Savings Bank in ono year from L3O to L5O, and in addition tho depositor can invest L2OO in -Government Stock. Tho Post OHico Savings Bank will also buy for it, depositor an annuity for any amount up to LlOO a year, or a policy ot insurance up to tho samo amount payable cither on death or after a fixed number of years. During tho pant 10 years ovor 90 per cent of tho storm warnings published by tho Meteorological Council have boon justified. For tho hay harvest complete success is claimed for tho rain forecasts issued. Another open space for London, tho J filly Fiolds, Brockloy, 45 acres in extent, and a splendid elevation, has boon secured for tho public at a cost of L43,G00. Tho first public journoy along tho Manchester Ship Canal was made recently. Tho distance by ateamor (35\ miles) occupied fivo hours and a half, "f ho canal has been six yoars in construction, tho cost being L 15,000,000. Manchester is now a port. Tho Queen will bo asked to formally opon tho canal at Eastor, and should she bo unablo, tho Princo ot Wales will be invitod to do so. In January last tho remains of Rev. John Newton, tho hymn-writer, and thoao of his wife, woro romoved from a city church and reinterred at Olnoy, whero ho was cuiato during Cowpor's time. A granite monument has been placed ovor the grave, and tho plato from Mr Nowton'b collin has been aflixodon tho wall of tho church. Tho Duko of Sutherland his consontod to tho County Council re-opening tho goldliekh on his Scotch estate, in tho hopo of finding work for tho unemployed. Steps have been taken at Bradford to found a Bronte Society and ostablsih a Bronte Museum. A resident of Salford claims to bo 114 years old, and declares that when a boy he heard Wesley preach. A pike- of 18|lb was caught at Virginia Water, and inside tho fish another piko of 3|lb was found. A Now Zealand trout, weighing nearly 131b, reached England in a frozen state, looking as fresh as if just caught. Tho eggs imported into England in 12 months wore valued at cloao upon Lt,000,000 sterling. Nearly 400,000,000 of these eggs camo from Franco. The Spalding Board of Guardians has accepted a local baker's tender to supply biead at 2.{d a 41b loaf. At a salo in London a first edition of "The Vicar of Wakofield " fetched L 54, nioro than Goldsmith received for writing tho book. A first edition of " (Cray's Elegy," originally published at (id, sold for L 74. Tlio will of a Whitcchapol brother, rolating to L 12,000, has boon declared invalid by a judge, it having beon proved that tho testator, who died of alcoholism, ! whs drunk when ho made the will. Tho Dowager Duchess of Montrose, who was sued, and not her husband, for debts duo to tradoamon near her Scotch estate, was ordered to pay, the Judge icmarkiug that sho was ovidontly " master " of tho house. A manufacturer sued a London dealer for the value of 90 dozen ladios' shirts, which the defendant alleged wero not up for sample. Tho Judge flaid men wero hardly capablo of trying a oaso which depended upon tho niceties of pattern and sowing in ladies' clothing. Ho suggested a jury of matrons, and tho hint is likely to be acted upon. A lady informed a London magistrate that her husband deserted her nine years ago and wont to Australia. Ho has returned, and sho desired to know if sho wore bound to admit him to her rooms at her mother's house. Tho magistrate said tho mother could forbid him to ontor tho house A husband or wife wero not bound to return to each other/but if cither of them have means tho other may claim a portion. In this c<»so tho husband had a right to roturn homo to tho society of his wifo. The lady would not bo able to provo desertion, because tho husband wont away with her consent. HA number of Matabelo warriors, aocompauicd by native women and children, aro on exhibition in London. Tho men are slight, muscular men of a rich cocoa-nut color, and tho women are short and dumpy. In digging tho foundation for a building in Whitochapel, a supposed plague pit was disturbed, necessitating tho re moval of a ton of bones, A disputo aroso as to tho cost of thoir docont ro-intor-ment, and the coronor held tho buildor responsible. A now bicycle saddlo has been invontcd. It is said to have tho approval of medioal men, its main objcot being to prevent tho cyclist's stoop. Tho rector of Harthill, in his parish magazino, informs parents that tho conjunction of certain malign planets makes it most unlucky to havo children's parties on a Thursday for years to como. A fow days after leaving Batavia, fever broko out on a vossel bound for Melbourne. Tho captain, oflicors, and ono after anothor of tho crew died. Tho command of tho vessel devolved upon an approntico aged 19, and with only ono seaman to aid him ho woikcd tho ship successfully, and finally brought hor into port in safoty.