Items.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 4999, 9 June 1891, Page 3

Items.

The Southland Times, a Conservative journal, says that the Shop Hours Bill to be introduced by the Government in the forthcoming Parliamentary session, "on the whole appears to be framed oil humane and reasonable lines, and should, we think, meet with cordial acceptance at the hands of those whom it most concerns."

The Wairarapa Daily says ; —The Masterton Licensing Committee evidently feels it has a divided duty. It owes a debt to the Temperance party which can only be paid by prohibition, but it has an obligation under the Licensing Act which compels it to regulate stringently during the current year. At the same time there is a decided indication that the prohibi tion claw is only sheathed, and may, under certain circumstances, be felt at any moment. Practically the decision^ of the Committee amounts to a compromise which will be accepted by moderate men as quite satisfactory. Of course the extreme party on either side will be discontented. Towards tlie latter end of December Mr D. M'Pherson, storekeeper of Panmure, sent Home a keg of butter as a sample to the Glasgow market. The keg was consigned to Messrs A. and R. Osborne, wholesale butter and cheese merchants, of Glasgow, and arrived at its destination about the middle of February in good order. Messrs Osborne in their report say : " So far as we could judge, we think it a very fine sample of the class." Mr Mr M'Pherson intends sending several consignments next summer. We may also add that the keg referred to was specially prepared by Mrs Harris, of Bridge Farm, Panmure. —Auckland Star. The biggest pig 011 earth that has been actually vouched for was killed in New York in the year 1859. This enormous animal was named Columbus, and his live weight was 16921b5. The skin was saved and stuffed, and is probably in some j museum now. It is said that many Jersey pigs have been cut up in New York weighing from 8001b to 120011). New Jersey is supposed to raise the finest hogs in America, and the pork brings M per lb more than any other in the New York market.

First fisher (on the right bank of the river): "I say man lia'e ye got a bite yet f Second fisher (on the left bank, exactly opposite, rubbing his leg): " Aye, I ha'e got a bite, but it wis frae the shepherd's dog." A wag who thought to have a joke at the expense of an Irish provision dealer, said : ''Can you supply me with a yard of pork?" "Pat," said the dealer to his assistant, "give this gentleman three pigs' feet!"