NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6696, 4 May 1883, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Thb Bathurst burr is spreading at tbe Thames.

A committee bas been formed to establish a dairy factory at Wanganui. Alexandra possesses a rinking society. The first " skate " of the season took place 1 recently. The Melbourne dressmrkers gave a ball at Emerald Hill lately. About 600 people were present. It is rumonred that Mr. Redmond, M.P., has abandoned his intention of coming to New Zealand. A Melbourne weekly paper says "anew era of prosperity seems to be dawning upon New Zealand." The Leader is of opinion that "New Zealand is likely, at no distant date, to be found in the van of Liberalism." The Australian Radical journals approvingly comment on the Radical tone of Major Atkinson's recent addresses. The Rev. Mr. Cooke is of opinion that the Australian newspapers are scrvirior to those published on the Pacific slope. Over 6000ozs. of gold were obtained from the Sandhurst mines during one week lately, and £9900 declared in dividends. Three waterspouts were seen on Monday last off New Plymouth. One was off the town and two nearer the Sngar Loaves. Mr. Spurgeon says that some people object to bazaars on principle, and adds, " that is a : capital objection if their object is to save their capital." The Napier Artillery have obtained a new uniform. It is of blue serge, the coats being furnished with silver buttons bearing the regulation monogram. Sir Arthur Kennedy, the retiring Governor of Queensland, says that during a continual service from 1527 to 18S3, he has never been a day idle. He goes home with clean hands. A home paper says it would be interesting to know whether " the very stringent rules" in regard to stray dogs in Auckland "have a beneficial effect in diminishing hydrophobia." The Lauds Court at Maketu is occupied with the investigation of the TeTomu block, the expenses alone of which will considerably exceed the value of the sand-hills and swamp of which it is composed. The Taranaki News says :—" An influential committee is engaged in the laudable task of arranging for a suitable testimonial to Mr. C. W. Hursthouse, to commemorate his journey through the King country." The value of a prohibition order was strikingly shown at the Lyttelton Police Court tbe other day. A witness stated that since the issue of the order, prisoner, who was up for drunkenness, had hardly ever been sober. : -In Taranaki r the parents of children who do not attend school are being served .with notices under the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, requiring them to send their children; to school.- About 75 of these notices have been served. i : i . ; .. There are now nine lawyers in the House,' namely j Messrs. Bathgate, Gonolly, •:Ue vLautour.' : Holmes,' O'Rorke, Sheehan, Tole, 'Whitaker, and Wynn Williams. . ..Last session the'number was ten, but the total is of course reduced by tbe resignation of Mr.' Weston.;: , > * .The following'conversation is said. to have .been; heard .outside St. George's Church at the Thames. after a service held by a clergyjmanv -,fi;r women only."—The younger ofthe,two: women : oWell, he said nothing so;, very bad; after all. '' .The elder : " No; it was a regular sell. " ~ - • y IMr. ■R.':,0.--Bishop, a Tasmanian bicyclist/ has. ridden. a. hundred miles under twelve hours.-:.; :;He travelled from Snakebanks, 100J miles from; Hobarfc,\to that city, and did the -distance'in.-ll hours2s. minutes, or 10 hours 15 minutes;.actual, riding time. .. He :,rode a 54-inch ". Matchless." ; ' " .. Mr. .Courtney, the purchaser of Mr. Litia'ibury's property at Ponsonby, was chaffin'gly] ;asked ..yesterday .(.whether, he had given f nip : diamonds-and turned to grapes. J ito his interlocutor was terse and to the point i Yes,; , they are both industries which can ,be, developed, but to do so you require; new blood." . ....... ... .