NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7269, 6 March 1885, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The Bishop of Nelson has adopted the 24 o'clock principle in advertising Church services. On the suggestion of the Argus funds are being raised in Melbourne for the erection of a memorial statue to General Gordon. Since the sth of January last no fewer than 500 summonses for debt have been issued from the Wellington Resident Magistrate's Court. Some natives in the neighbourhood of Kaupokonui (Waimate Plains) received the other day upwards of £400 for grass seed obtained this season. The Oamarn regatta is to be held on May 24th, and will include both sailing and rowing oontests, for which competitors are expected from all part* of the colony. The Geographical Society of New South Wales have decided to restrict their exploration of New Guinea to the River Aesd and the rivers on the south coast for the present. A son of Milliiis, the great master of portraiture, and Fred. Wolseley, brother of Lord Wolseley, are in partnership in a squatting station in one of the Australian colonic s. The Maoris of Kakariki sent their tonfrtrts at Parewauui, a characteristic present the other day, viz., six baskets of cooked pigeons. The baskets were ingeniously made of the bark of trees. For some time past the English mint has not struck a single sovereign, but hae depended upon Melbourne and Sydney for her supplies. Last year Melbourne struck 2,05u,000 sovereigns, and the Sydney mint turned out 1,108,000. '

As illustrating the curiosities of a bankruptcy practice, we may mention a list of book debts which have to be dealt with in connection with an estate at New Plymouth. Numerous entries run thus: "Stranger, 14s ; 2 strangers, 8s ; 3 strangers, 18a." Mr. Matthew Burnett, the temper tnce advocate, writes from Hobart, nnder date February 11, as follows:-" Tell fellowcomrades at Dunedin to hold the forts ; I am coming. Leave here March 11. Open fire at Inveroargill; go on to Dunedin to conduct twelve months' war. Mrs. Burnett accompanies me to open campaign against employment of females in the bars of the enemy."