NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7259, 23 February 1885, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Two two-story buildings collapsed in Eliza-beth-street,' Melbourne, the other day, •

The Thames Native Commission has been sitting- lately on a Case- of marital ; infidelity. .'. - . »--.v.' » *■ TheMahawatu butter - factory shipped 57 kegs, of butter, in prime condition, by the Aorangi. '..'■ * '■*■ ■"' "'..•. Hop-picking at the Awahuri hopgardens has commenced. The crops are expected to be splendid. The Aorahgi's mail consisted of some 12,000 letters, contained in 37 bags. She took 118 passengers. Mr. Berridge, of Te Puke, has successfully introduced a hive of Italian bees into that district, from the Matamata Apiary.

A pheasant, " with four feet, four wings, and an extraordinary beak, has been sent to the office of the Taranaki Daily News." The keel of a small schooner, which is intended for the island trade, has been laid at Mr. R. Stone's ship-building yard, Thames. Wellington branoh of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offer prizes to pupil teachers for essays on treatment of animals.

Messrs. Chamberlin and Porter, of the Miranda, are likely to lay on a steamer between that district and Thames, to be run weekly. "'/-"'-' .-?.:-'"/\ ."'"'';••".'" There are seven licensing''committee's, at the Thames, but by arrangement thesame five men have been elected for all. This will save clashing. ''[*"'; '•'-• ' J ; Dr. Stuart said at Dunedin the other day that before temperance could get a strong hold, they must establish riot only | costly .coffee palaces, but plain, clean temperance houses. '■>'••.■"'.';'■ ■;■•.'■.'.*"■ ,-.W-

. The ownership of Block 27 at the Thames has been definitely fixed, Messrs. Murdoch Bros, having become the jpurchasera. Mr. Andrew Fleming, their agent, has advertised that the freehold of a limited number of allotments are open for sale." It has been found that ostriches'attain maturity in Australia much sooner .than Africa, two and a-half years being the time in the latter country, while some chickens in South Australia have matured as early as thirteen months.

The Hon. 0. J. Fharazyn, M.L.0., attended the polling booth for the Thorndon licensing election, and demanded a voting paper, claiming that the period during which he was prohibited ' from voting expired last month. Mr. Ames, Returning Officer, gave him a voting paper, and Mr. Pilarazyn duly exercised his vote.