ITEMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IX, Issue 2869, 6 April 1885, Page 3

ITEMS.

The Agricultural Department report from Philadelphia of the 18: h Bays last year's cereal crops were the largest eyer raised in the United States, wheat yielding 513 million bushels, oats 583 millions, Indian corn 1795 millions. The Senate, on the 26th, considered Mr Bayard's resolution, expressing its sentiments on the subject of the dynamite explosions in London. Mr Bayard delivered a short address advocating the immediate passage of his resolution. A motion to postpone the debate was moved by|jMr Biddlebergen, but was defeated by 62 Totea to one, and that one his own.

According to the Railroad Gazette, the total mileage of railways constructed in the United Stateß during 1884 amounts to 3729. This is not much over half the J mileaga of 1883, and a little over one-third * of that of 1882. There were constructed 1 during the previous 12 years:—1883, r 6130 miles; 1882, 9922; 1881, 7870'; ' 1880, 6139 ; 1879, 3801 ; 1878, 2263; > 1877, 2019; 1576, 2278 ; 1875, 1333 ; > 1874,1844; 1873,3630 ; 1872, 7160 miles. 1 These figures include main tracks only, no account being taken of second tracks or 1 Bidinga. Tt is intended to appoint a Bishop of Fiji, and a wealthy colonist—Mr John 1 Campbell by name—has promised to con : tribute a sum of LIO,OOO towards tho endowment of the new see. According to the Navy list, for 1885, the German Navy is officered by one viceadmiral, seven rear-admirals, 71 captains, 92 lieutenants, 161 sub-lieutenants, 116 midshipmen, and 118 cadets. The fleet consists of 24 ironclads, eight cruising frigates, nine corvettes, five cruisers, four gunboats, eight despatch boats, nine training ships, two transports, and 12 vessels for service in the ports, making in all 81 ships. In addition to the vessels doing duty upon the coast at home, there are 11 on foreign service, of which four are in the East, three in Australia, and one each upon the coasts of South America, the Mediterranean, East Africa, and the North Atlantic. The Municipal Council of Paris have this year voted liberal sums for education in art and science. Drawing comes first with a credit of 974,9C0f. Then there is singing, which costs 281,759f. The schools of physics and chemistry, as applied to industry, cost 204,200f., the professional school in the Boulevard Diderot 141,920f., and the technical school in the Rue de Reuilly 92,3C0f. A sum of 40C0f. is entered for travelling scholarships in art. Gymnastics is credited with 322,000f. These sums form but a part of the outlay on science and art. On the afternoon of the 7th, at Madrid, with the usual ceremonial, Admiral Lynch, lately appointed Plenipotentiary for the Republic of Chili, after 30 years interrupted diplomatic relations, presented his credentials to King Alfonso, afterwards naying his respects to the Queen and the Infantas. Later tho Admiral exchanged official visits with the Premier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. A discovery was made recently of a large quantity of forged Bank of England notes . of the value of LICO and up to LSCO. The statement made to the city detectives, who were in the case, led them to seek out a scavenger employed on Clapham Common. He stated that he and two of , his companions discovered, at the end of November or commencsment of December last,, a box under a furze bush. They ■ op2ued the box and found it to be packed with Bank of England notes to the amount of LBCOO or L7CCD. The notss were all for 15C0 or LICO, and bore various dates i and numbers. The men at once decided to divide equally their find, but had hesitated to at; smpt to put the notes in circulation, being apprehensive that the right- ! ful owner might appear. The officers mentioned su'.ccaded in obtaining possession of the whole of the notes, which, it is asserted by all who have seen them, are about the most perfect imitation of the genuine notes that have yet come into J the hands of the bank authorities. The police are still pursuing their inquiries. . At Mesßid Prothero and Morris' salerooms, Cheapside, a very fine orchid, of ] the variety of Lselia anceps, with pure white sepals and petals, was knocked down to an eminent firm of nurserymen J for 90 guineas. Imported and unflowered ; pieces of white Laslia anceps realised 31 guineas, 17 guineas, and 13 guineas res- . pectively, and an established plant of r Lselia- elegans, in flower, sold for 25 guineas. ,