LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 27, 23 May 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sullivan, the murderer, is not having a very rosy time of it since he left Melbourne Q ao ]—jn fact it is a question whether he would not be more comfortable in the Pentridge Stockade than in the bosom of his family at Wedderbura. A Melbourne cablegram dated this morning informs us that the murderer has written to the Victorian Government, and complained of the treatment he has received while in Wedderburn. He states that he could get nothing to eat for three days, aud that he had to barricade his house against the attacks of boys throwing stones aud explosives. This scarcely bears out the old saying that "There is no place like home," in fact, we think Sullivan will admit that there is no place like gaoL To-morrow being the anniversary of the birthday of her Most Gracious Majesty will be observed as a general holiday. The Provincial and General Government offices will be closed, and the Volunteers will assemble at the Drill-shed at 10.30 for the purpose of firing the feu-de-joie. The Eeidston Annual Baces will take place at noon, and judging from the excellent arrangements made, we predict a large and successful meeting.

We remind our readers that the Eev. Mr. Backhouse will deliver a lecture in St. Paul's Church, this evening, at 7.30 a.m., in aid of the funds of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The subject will be "Livingstone and the Bible in Africa," and we trust to see a large attendance. A meeting of the Sons of Temperance, Excelsior Division, No. 3, will be held in the Mechanics' Institute, this evening, at 7.30. Several new members will be initiated.

In publishing the entries for the Hurdle Race to be run at Reidston to-morrow, Mr. William M'Kay, jun.'s brg Bob Apples is printed as three years old. In the manuscript copy we received from Mr. M'Kay the horse is entered as twenty-three years. The compositor who set the toke up is a bit of a sport, and he declared that twenty-three years was a mistake, that a horse could not jump a composing stick, let alone clear a hurdle, at that age. Well, this led to a nice little argument between the reader and the compositor. The former wanted to go by the copy, while the latter looked upon the age of the horse as an utter absurdity. On matters being referred to the Editor, Mr. M'Kay's horse, like the prisoner at the bar, received the benefit of the doubt, and was entered as a three-year old. As we have not tlie pleasure of knowing Mr. Bob Apples, we should like to be informed as to his exact age. If he really be twenty-three years old, he must carry out in a striking degree the old truism that—"Age is nothing;blood will tell."

Alluding to the last marriage of De Murska, the Dunedin correspondent of the " Bruce Herald " writes : —" One thing there Mas which was a great disappointment to sundry inquisitive persons: Mdlle. De Murska did not tell the Registrar her age. When I say she did not tell it, I mean to say that she told it as ladies are usually supposed to tell theirs. She gave her age as twentyeight, and as she has been nearly that number of years before the public, those who had paid their half-crowns to inspect the record went away dreadfully sold." Notice of action to recover £3,000 damages has been served on Dr. Hocken, at the suit of William Jenkins, Mho, it will be remembered, Mas committed for trial on the Coroner's warrant for incendiarism, and at the trial M-as acquitted. The damages (says the " Guardian ") are sought for publishing a libel, by reason of the Coroner having returned a verdict other than that found by the Jury ; for false imprisonment, for loss in business, and generally for injuries suffered, arising in a large measure from the fact that the Coroner not having returned the inquisition and depositions in time, Jenkins M'as kept in gaol, and held to bail longer than he should have been.

The " Grey Eiver Argus " informs us that the Greymouth butchers met with a serious loss on Thursday, the 4th instant. A flock of sheep -was being driven from Hokitika to Greymouth, and while swimming the flock across the Teremakau, which was in slight flood, 140 of the animals were washed out to sea and drowned. The " Southland Times " understands that the goddess Minerva is about to be hoisted

forthwith into her proper position at the top of the. Athenaeum building. At the last momefiC however, a difficulty has occurred. ; It'has been suggested that her clothing might be as scanty as that of some of the heathen divinities presiding over ancient places of ■worship in Greece. In this emergency it is said that the Secretary of the Athenjeum has come forward in the most patriotic manner, and offered to procure a kilt of rect cut, and of the proper plaid, which he says is the Eoyal Stuart, and the only condition he insists upon is that in case the national garment of the Highlands is not used, which we should very much regret in a Scotch settlement, he shall be allowed to wear the discarded kilt himself. We are sure our worthy townsman could not speak more fairly. It is only right to mention that we believe the members of the Southland Institute see no objection, on aesthetic grounds, to the proposed innovation. The celebrated Colonel Stemberger, who has been causing such a fuss in connection with his recent escapades in Samoa, is not such a great swell after all. He was going to play up high jinks with the Captain of H.M.S. Barracouta, and have all manner of satisfaction. A late .-telegram from Washington informs us that the American Government repudiated all connection with the gallant ColoneL In answer to a resolution of the House, Secretary Fish stated that he recognised no responsibility for Stemberger, whose mission was undertaken without any document from the American Government, and furthermore, that the American Consul at Samoa has been so informed. Last week we ("Wellington Post ") drew attention to the fact that the Government had sent to England for a pe. son to fill the office of Inspector of Prisons in this Colony. Now a rumour is afloat to the effect that an officer of the E.N. is to be obtained to command a steamer, which is to be built after the style of the Eoyal Yacht. This steamer is to be so big a thing that, of course, no seaman in this Colony is competent to take the command of such a boat ! At least, that seems to be the opinion of the present Government, or why should they send out of New Zealand for the commander of a small steamboat ? They endeavoured to get an English Surveyor-General, bur their intentions were defeated. They may, however, succeed in regard to the InspectorGeneral of Prisons and the commander of the Ministerial steamer. We are progressing in this Colony, and after a while it may be considered necessary to send Home for Ministers' waiters at Bellamy's, and a competent man to light the fires in the committee rooms during the session. As the result of a communication addressed by the Mayor of Wellington to the other Mayors throughout the Colony with respect to some proposed legislation for municipal corporations, more particularly in the way of loans, it is stated in the Auckland " Herald" that the Mayor of that city has forwarded for the consideration of the Government various suggestions of amendments prepared by Mr. Philips, the Town Clerk, both in the Corporation and the Public Health Acts. Amongst the former, the most important suggestions are the consolidation of the various Corporation Acts ; power to reduce annual recurring loan rates when increased valuation of property in boroughs will admit, and many other amendments suggested by experience necessary for the efficient working of local self-government. In view of legislation affecting municipal government being attempted during the session, the " Herald " thinks the various corporate bodies would be wise if they had some competent gentleman to watch their interests at Wellington, for otherwise they may expect little or nothing to l;e done.