NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6571, 8 December 1882, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

AfiRicnr.TURAT, land at West Maitland sold last week for £96 an acre. The electric light is being rapidly extended in the suburbs of Melbourne. The Sydney Botanic Gardens are to be open all day on Sundays in future. Hanlan, the famous Rouller. intends to visit Australia in the " fall" of 18S3. Dieht's Falls are intended to supply the electricity of the future to Melbourne. It is novr definitely known that the English cricketers will not visit New Zealand. The ten-hours system has now become generally recognised in the bakery trade in Victoria. Farmers in Victoria complain bitterly of the scarcity of labour, which pre Tents them reaping their crops. An "abridged Bible" for State schools is the latest solution of the religious difficulty in the sister colonies. The Duncdin Resident Magistrate's Court is to be conneoted with the telephone exchange at *n early date. A remarkable fish has been discovered at Hobart, by the description very similar to New Zealand frost fish. A passenger from Sydney to Parramatta was recently fined £5 10s for not paying his railway fare, which was 9d. Mr. G. W. Rusden. for many years Clerk of the Parliament in Victoria, has in the pres3 a. "History of >ew Zealand." Cobram, a fine pastoral property near Deuiliquin, has been purchased by the Hon. W. J. Clarke for nearly £300,000. Mr. Malcolm has chartered a vessel for South Africa to bring out 100 ostriches for his ostrich farm in South Australia. The Mayor of Ballarat anticipates that in a very short time that city will lie lighted by electricity at a less cost than by gas Mr. Roseby, M.L. A., of New South Wales, recently gave notice of his intention to propose that a uniform penny postage be adopted in that colony. The Terawhiti goldfields seem to be going ahead considerably, judging from the large number of mining leases which have recently b«eu taken up. AMaryborough (Queensland) jury declares it is no libel to stylo a lecture on amativeness "the incarnation of beastliness," and the lecturer "a quack." The Hobart Mercury has discovered that science is advancing at such a rate that medical men will soon bo able to make families aud communities to order. The are at present employed in the State schools in Victoria 1767 head teachsrs, 891 assistants, 601 workniistresses, aiul 11-14 pupil teachers, or a total of 4403 persona. A considerable shipment of pine-apples, each rolled in paper, have reached Sydney in excellent condition from San Francisco, and fonuil a ready market at from 3s to 4s per doien.

The Sydney Echo th'nka that " either the Austral is the greatest blunder committed in modern shipbuilding, or somebody connected with hor has been guilty of criminal negligence." The largest driving-belt made in Victoria, which was manufactured by Mr. Altson for tile Pyrites Company's works, Footscray, is ISin. in width, and 38ft. in length, and weighs 1781I>. In reply to a deputation, Mr. Johnston said he could hold out no hopes of Mr. Caldwell'* retention as Governor of the Dunedin Gaol. Mr. Caldwell, ashaa been annoifnced, lias been appointed Governor of the Auckland Gaol. The Hon. J. Colton, of South Australia, gives it as his opinion that "the Irish were lesa self-reliant than the English, and that the English were not so self-reliant as the Scotch." May we infer from this that Mr. Colton is » Scotchman 7 The Canterbury Times is not at home wheu it deals with native matters. It regards the versatile Sydney Taiwhanga as a powerful chief, and sapiently declares that " the abuse he has had is only a small part of the usual falsehood of that detestable creature, the pakcha Maori." N«ws of a sad occurrence has been received by the San Francisco mail. Some mouths ago Mr. J. A. Isaacs, traveller for Mexsrs. Joseph Nathan and Co., of Wellington, died somewhat suddenly at Napier from fever. The mournful intelligence was duly sent to his friends in England, and it now transpires that his mother was so allected that she actually died of a broken heart. A very successful soiree was held 011 Thursday last, at Paeroa, iu connection witli the Upper Thames Wesleyan Circuit. The tea was partaken of in the Public Hall. Over 100 sat down at the well-tilled tables, which were preiided over by the ladies of the congregation. After tea the company adjourned to the church, and a very pleasant evening was passed. The Rev. J. T. Pinfold presided, and addresses were delivered by the .Revs. Messrs. Laishley (Congregationalist) and Barley (Primitive Methodist), from the Thames. Anthems, solos, Ac., were rendered ▼ery efficiently by the Misses Tregonning and Rolleston, and Misses Gribble, Vowles, and Billing. Votes of thanks were accorded to all who had helped to make the soiree a success, and the singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.