HERE AND THERE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 14

HERE AND THERE.

Mr Louis Pascal, of Ktreru, leaves this month on a trip to Prance, via Sydney.

It is said that among the 'sensational' journals of America there are seven printed on handkerchiefs ; three that give their subscribers coupons for free photographs ; five that invite their subscribers coupons tor free photographs ; five that invite their subscribers to dinner once a month ; 250 that provide gratuitous medical advice and medicine ; and three which bear the expenses of the funerals of their readers.

Mr D. A. Smith, one of the earliest setters in the Waipawa district, died on the 30th ult at the good age of 89 years.

It is refreshing to hear that the coin which churchgoers are supposed to reverence more than any other is rapidly being displaced by the useful and ever-welcome ' tanner.' At a recent ac->rvice in St Paul's Cathedral there were 564 sixpences in the box as against 219 threepenny bits.

The religious opinions of our great men will be of interest -.—Lord Salisbury is a High Churchman of the old school. Low Churchmen comprise Lord Cross, Lord Harrowby, Lord George Hamilton, and Mr Stanhope. Lord Cranbrook is a high Churchman, Sir Michael Hicks-Boach is a Low Churchman ; but, on the other hand, Mr Gladstone is a High Churchman. Earl Selborne is a High Churchman, as is Eirt Granville ; but Sir Wm Harcourt is a Low Churchman, and so are Earl Spencer, Mr Childers, the Duke of Devonshire, and the E*rl of Northbrook. The Marquis of Rtpon is a Roman Catholic convert; Mc Chamberlain is a Unitarian. Mr John Morley belong* to no denomination, but tho Church of Eugland claims Mr Balfour.

Mr A. King,ofWaipukarau,hasinvented an automatic oyster opener which opens two oysters per minute.

A little more than a quarter of a century ago a wooden leg nearly changed the course of European history. A year or so before the war between Prussia and Danmark, which preceded the great struggle between France and Germany, Bismarck was staying at Biarritz. One morning, accompanied by a huge dog, he was walking oti a road which runs along the base of a cliff protected from the sea by a low wail when he met an old French naval captain with a wooden leg, powerfully built, and of a peppery temper. The dog became unduly attentive to the captain's leg, and the Frenchman struck the animal with the bult of his fishing rod. Bismarck swore, and the sailor replied in tlie same dialect. From language they came to blows, and in a few moments Bismarck found that, strong as he was, the angry Frenchman was lifting liim bodily on the parapet of the wall. Another minute and he would have been in the rapid cmront of the sea below, and. what would have been the course of European history during the last twenty-five years. But at the critical moment help arrived—by the irony of fate in the ah ape of an equerry of the Emperor Napoleon—the timber-toed veteran was defeated, and the unification of Germany and of Italy were secured.

A peculiar industry of Kern Country, California, is the collection and shipment of horned toads. They are sold to the Chinese, who use them for medicinal purposes. They are considered especially valuable in the treatment of rheumatism.

The most curious suicide in the annals of self destruction occurred at Chiquete, N. 8., in the spring of 1890. Before committing the deed the self murderer, who was named W. Jfct. T. Jones, dug his own grave, and placed a rough coffin of his own handiwork at the bottom. The dirt from the opening waa kept from rolling back into the excavation by two boards held in place by a trigger to which a string was attached.. Everything in readiness, the

deliberate Mr Jones, as subiequent developments revealed, got into fcue coffiu, took a dose of poison, and then pulled the string, burying himself beneath tons of earth. This lias been put down as one of the most unique and successful cases of self-destruction on record.

A medical correspondent sends to the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch an account of a remarkable operation recently performed in one of the largest London hospitals, and which has had a very successful result. It seems that an artisan, about thirty years of age, some five years ago fell and severely injured his right arm. It wis operated upon an the time, and the rasult proved that either the Burgwon by misadventure had divided tho nerve or it had been torn in the fall. At all events, the injured arm never recovered its former appearance, but waisted and became quite useless. It was a serious misfortune to a working-man, and it was decided to open up the arm and explore, with the result, as first surmised, that the nerva was found to be partially divided. Two fresh ends were made, and a live rabbit . having been obtained, it whb rendered unconscious, skinned and the two sciatic nerves wjre extracted nnd stitchud to the two ends of tho divided nnrve in the man's arm. The wound was then stitched up, and the patient placed in bed. It is now seven weeks since the operation, and the result is most favourable. The man has perfect power in the right arm, which is now rapidly regaining the original bulk, and he now able to follow his eminent.

The late Mr Whitney Griffiihs, son of Mr C, J. Griffiths, who met his death at Blenheim recently, was accorded a military funeral on Sunday week last. All the local military corps wera represented and the Garrison Bind played the Dead March in Saul. The local football and rowing seut wreaths and a number were forwarded by fri?nus and relations. The Ven Archdeacon Grace conducted the service at the grave.

Wollington Anglican Synod meet on 30th inst. to elect a successor to Bishop Hadßeld.

The S >uth Australian Register says it has been shown a letter writteuiu the corresponding style of phoncgraphy by an aborigine from Point Macleay to a gentleman of Adelaide, dated March 10, 1893. The writer had received aome friendly suggestions on tho art of shorthand, and he was induced to write in that style with the object of soliciting further advice, and such corrections aB might be necessary in his letter. It is sufficiently vocalised ,to be read with ease with any fairly advanced student of phonography, though it contains here and there an awkward outlines'The following extract will give an idea of this civilised barbarian's- mastery of the English language, his piety and of the good that is being done to these original lords of the manor at the Macleay mission) station I did not think that 'you had been at home so long, or I should have written to you ere this, and I cannot help feeling a little hurt that you should write me while a latter was due to you from me,' I think that we all can say that Christ is very precious to us all, as you say, for ivbat He has done and will do and still does for us each day and hour of our lives —precious as the Saviour, precious as bur help, friend, and brother, who will at last be our all in all.' »

All round the Colony the press is giving the Rev L. M. Isitt 'particular fits' for his remarks about tho late Premier. The excuses made by tho reverend gentleman, are almost universally scouted as being ridiculous and altogether unsatisfactory.

Says the Bulletin:—Brisbane (Q.) Flood Relief Committee has sold, or iB selling, the flour and oatmeal sent to it from Maoriland, and proposes to distribute tho balance of the money in hand— to whom ? The most destitute cases appear to have received least. Tho Premiers of other provinces have received autograph letters in acknowledgement of assistance from the Brisbane committee's 'secretary's secretary.'

Quong Tart, the wealthy Chinese merchant of Sydney, thinks itthe duty of his countrymen in Australia to petition Parliament to exclude Afghans. Delicious!

John Roberts once more comeß out on top at spob-biliiards : he decisively beat Peall, to whom he gave 9000 points in 24,000. Probably another 100 points would have been needed to bring them together. In the game he scored eighty six three-figure breaks, including ono of 737. Hid other breaks—49l, 482, 471, 434, 385, 347, 322, 301, and twenty-eight of between 200 and 300. Peall scored thirty-nine breaks of over 100, including runs of 334, 276, 321, and 206.

Christchurch has just initiated what promises to become a successful institution namely, a Savage Club. We •wish a longer and happier existence than had the Wellington Savage Club.

The Bank of Ne* Zealand, says the Bulletin, which went through its financial ordeal a few years ago and has much benefited by the experience (apropos, the Assets Co. which took over a lot of its then unmeltable securities has proved an excellent venture) was untroubled by th panic. It didu'fc lose £XQO in gold oa the

Friday, being regarded as quite outside the storm. On the contrary, it haa picked up quite a lot of solid business.

The Hawke's Bay Herald and Tablet are at present engaged in a wordy warfare. Subject : —the insulting way in which the two N»pier Tory papers refer to Catholics and Irishmen.

A correspondent of the Auckland Herald writes :—' It was my lot to be engaged in a lawsuit in Auckland connected with a partnership matter. I was advised by one of one legal luminaries to sue for wages due. I did so in the Supreme Court. A legal firm (one of the principal in the city) defended. They proved I was a partner, and judgment was given against me with costs. I then sued for my share as a partner. Tho same legal firm defended, and proved I was not a partner. Again I was defeated and mulcted/in costs. According to this it is hardvto say what I was. Some months ago I laid tho matter before the Low Society, but the problem seems too much even for that august body.'

It is estimated that the insurances in force in Australian oflicecs amount to £74,000,000, or at the rate of £l9 a head for every man, woman and child in Australia, i-

Reported from Maoriland that Thomas Bracken haß been appointed secretary to the Brewers' Union. You somehow never find any poet officially connected with the ginger-beer industry.—Bulletin.

From a recent issue of Harpers' Bazaar: —' Such a droll little party that was the other day, given by Mrs Eugenie Clarke in honour of ber royal Japanese poodle, Ootah. Ootah is a beauty, and is said to have come to America directly from the Mikado's kennels. Mrs Clarke and her friends entertained the dainty little dogs whom Ootah invited, serving them with chicken at little tables six inches high. The dogs behaved perfectly, and looked charming, dressed ps they were in ruffles and ribbons, and groomed as became their princely rank. There were.2o of the little pets, and they proved their claim to be caressed and adored by their loving mistresses.'

Cases of incendiarism are unpleasantly frequent in Dunedin at present. One cf the boarders in the (jfere Temperance Hotel aroused the inmates the other night; with cries of fire. Flames were seen running aloug the walls and ceiling, and it was afterwards found that the floor and walls had.been smeared over with candle grease.

An absurd story is going the rounds as to Lord Stanley of Preston, who succeeds to the earldom of Derby, having been a swagsmari in New Zealand and in receipt of charitable aid. There is not a word of truth in this.

An Oamaru man writes to the North Otago Times complaining of the .local price of bread, which is 6d per 41b loaf. . He sent to Dlinedin for broad, and got a parcel'which, with carriage, coßt only 4d pet 41b loaf. He blames the millers for keeping up an excessive price locally for flour.

The Molyneux has not been so low as present for many years, says the Clutha Leader. The long spell of dry weather, and we daresay frosts in the mountains, are the causes.

The Oamaru Mail says : we were shown .< a little brochure, published last year in Belfast which contains some interesting information together with a number of views of Glenavy, the village in Antrim where Mr Ballance was born. The brochure contains the following reference to the late Premier, which possesses, at the present juncture, a certain amount of melancholy interest: 'Glenavy haa contributed some men of mark to the world, prominent among whom, at the present time, is the' Hon John Ballance, now Prime minister of New Zealand. His relations, the Ballances of Glenavy, are justly proud of the honourable distinction to which he has attained. Son of Mr Samuel Ballance, of Ballypitmave, the New Zealand Prime Minister was educated at Belfast model School, and about 30 years ago left for the Southern Pacific. He first climbed to the position of editor-in-chief of a newspaper. Then, elected a member of the Legislative Assembly, he became Chancellor of the Exchequer, upon which Punch remarked : 'Not every country is like New Zealand, which • always has a Ballance in its Exchequer.' Now he has attained the highest honour his adopted country could bestow, and we trust that New Zealand will leap to prosperity under his Premiership.

Sir G. M. O'Rorke is the Governor of the Auckland Union Parliament. A good many-people would like to see him back again in a real parliament.

Mr Haggen of the Woodville Examiner, and an old employee of the late Premier, in relating some reminiscences of the late Mr Ballance, thus refers to his stand on the liquor question : I was much grieved to see the other day the severe denuncifcion of Mr Balance's views on this question by the RevL. M.lsitfc, knowing so well how unwarranted it was. Mr Ballance when Minister of Lands, took a mutual pledge with the late Mr J. Sheehan

to abstain from liquor. He took this course with the view to reclaiming his old friend and colleague, and often told mo how strongly he folt the boon it would be to humanity if the liquor traffic were done away with.

The Queensland Government has accepted the tender of Lysaght Brothers for the supply of 1000 miles of galvanised wire netting, for the rabbit fences, at Ll 9 per mile, delivered in Brisbane.

It is stated that as an outcome of the burial of Mr J. Ballance by Lodge St Andrew Kilwinning, the New Zealand Grand Lodge at its last meeting resolved, after a long discussion, to give all those who belong to both a month to elect Constitution they will adhere to, after which all French Grand Orient Masons will be struck off the rolls.

The ' Hawke's Bay Herald ' says a new form of local industry has been started at Napier the manufacture of Masonic aprons. They are better and cheaper than the imported article.

From a recent Punch -.—Mrs Sharply (to the Doctor, ivho has looked in, having heard that her ' good man' is ailing) : No, I thank ye, sir. You see I've heard of you, sir, as you've been ' practising' here for the last three years, and so I'd rather you went ' practising' elsewhere, as I don't want no 'speriments on my old man !

G. W. Russell, a Chrictchurch printer, is announced to stand for the new Riccarton electorate. Mr Tanner will stand for the new Avon Electorate, vice Heathcote.

In the U.S. army an officer is liable to be retired from active service for obesity. There are no corpulent officers in the Federal ranks. The Yankee is strictly practical, and he has no use for a man who is too fat either to run after an enemy or to get away from him.