NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8881, 18 May 1892, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The Wellington Operatic Society are rehearsing " Rip Van Winkle." There are 123,000 men in a state of bachelorhood and 18,000 marriageable damsels In New South Wales. The Hon. Mr. Cadman is to leave to-day for Rotorua; and if the weather is fine he will go thence to Wellington^ There are more persons in tho Napier Hospital at the present time than thero have been for the last two years. Tho Raneitikei Advocate alludes to the Premier's recent speech at Feilding as a "now tattered work of art," Mr. Macarthur having torn it into shreds. A movement is on foot to establish a High School at Westport. Hitherto parents in that town desirous of educating I their children in the higher branches have had to send them to Nelson. Recognising the growing importance of the dairying question the Woodville Farmers' Club have asked the Government to send one of their experts to their next meeting, to give information on the matter. The off-night drill of the infantry companies was duo last night, but only the Nejvton Rifles attended. There was a fair muster, under Captain Robertson, who put the men through a course of skirmishing drill. , , . The Manawatu Standard exultmgly gays 1—" Feeling certain that) tho intentions of the present Government are for the good of tho country, the Bank of New Zealand imported '25.000 sovereigns by tho Hauroto from Sydney on Monday." At the commission inquiring into tho management of tho New South Wales railways, a Mr. Thomas Middleton gave it as his opinion that there is not a more disorganised railway system under heaven than that of New South \\ ales. The Lyttelton Times, a staunch supporter of the Government, congratulates the electors of Bruce, who returned Mr. Allen, " upon having secured the services of a capable and zealous representative, who will bo a credit to tho House and his constituency." A young man named Charles North, employed 011 the Government railway at Grey, was in charge of a pot of tar boiling over a fire, when tho mixture exploded setting tire to his clothes. Before the flames were extinguished the poor fellow was badly burnt about the body. A Palinerston North gentleman who was on a visit to Napier the other day remarked to a friend that the inland town had made ■uch strides in the direction of genuine pro gress of late years, and there was such a promising future before it, that the residents hoped one day to see Parliament House shifted there ! Mr. McGovern, of South Canterbury, was knocked down and ripped by a wild pig which he and Mr. Hardie, his partner, had disturbed as it was lying alongside the road. On being afterwards shot it was found the pig hud only one eye, which probably accounts for tho animal passing over Mr. McGovern to rush at his partner. It was stated at the meeting of the Napier Charitable Aid Board that some of the big strong loafers who were provided with accommodation at the Old Men's Refuge sat round the lire on cold days, while the deserving inmates "did not get a peep at it." One man, eighty years of age, had not seen a fire for three years. It is really astonishing (says the Telegraph) the number of youths and small lads who walk about the streets of Napier at night doing nothing but smoking cigarettes or, mayhap, puffing at foul pipes, discoursing the while on subjects of a not very entertaining or educating character, and indulging in rough horse-play when no constable is at hand. __ The following is the state of Her Majesty's Prison, Auckland, for the week ending May 14 On remand, 1 male; awaiting trial, 6 males : penal servitude, 45 males ; hard labour, 56 males, 13 females: imprisonment, 3 males; default of bail, 3 males, 1 female ; received during the week, 10 males, S females; discharged, 12 males, 7 females. Total in prison, 117 males, 16 females.