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Otago Daily Times, Issue 201, 31 July 1862, Page 5

Hunter's Rtonk-Planing and Cutting Machine. —On two different occasions this machine, which was referred to in the Scotsman some weeks since, has been tested in the presence of a number of bnililcrs, and other practical men, and in each case the triai was thoroughly successful, and the principle of the machine completely established. On Monday, there were trials of several i \rn\s, of stone made in presence of, among a considerable number of spectators, Messrs. James I'aterson, Adam Beattie, and John Watherston, builders, Edinburgh. The^e gentlemen expressed their entire satisfaction with the working of the machine, which hewed, dressed, and planed Binney, liedhall, anil Glasgow ttonva. In fifteen minutes the machine performed what it would take a working mason nearly three hours to do, and the face of a rather hard stone, three feet by one, wan planed in eight minutes. Different stones would, according to hardness, require different tools, which, by some simple adaptations, can be applied to the machine. The examiners who were present during the working, and particularly the three Edinburgh gentlemen, expressed full confidence in the machine accomplishing all the work which its inventor, Mr. Hunter, promises, and in its adaptability to the different varieties of stone. It can be worked under the superintendence of a man and a bey, the former also to attend the drum-engine, with a blacksmith for sharping the tools. The stone to be operated on is fixed to a movable iron table or platform, which is regulated by an endless screw. By the forward motion of the table, the stone is brought into contact with a pair of revolving discs of 28 inches diameter.. Round each of thesedises, atintervalsof 9or 10 inches,are fixed eight chisels of keenly-tempered steel, and of a horse-.shoe pattern. These cut into the stone, and, by the action of the screws, are made to work horizontally, vertically, or obliquely as may be required. The three Edinburgh builders are to report to the trade their opinion of the machine.— Scotsman.

RonusTNKSS. —There \s no bigotry in existence so complncent, so absolutely self-Eatisned, as the bigotry of robustness. It looks on the professing invalid either as a hypocrite of the basest kind, or else as the victim of a strange delusion, which it is the mi-sion of a robust person to dispel, by gentle remonstrance, if possible, or, if that be unavailing, by taunts, importunities, and rough practical jokc3. It is not unnatural that the robust should regard the invalid with contemptuous unbelief. Such a sceptical attitude of mind conveys with it several very consolatory and complacent reflections to the robust man himself. There would be little gratifying in the belief that while nature had given him a strong nervous system, she bad denied it to his friend. .But it is very pleasaut for him to reflect that his superior condition U entirely owing to his own greater energy and firmer will, and that his friend would be quite as strong " if he would only just try and exert himself a little." Tlius his friend's condition becomes a perpetual homily of self-applause to him, and he feels that he can never dwell with too much attention and thankfulness oneo gratifying a state of thing*.— Saturday Review,

A Scene ox the "Sweet "Waters."—On Friday last .a three-oared caique, containing a small party "of Turkish ladies, attended by a black female slave, was rowing up from the Horn towards the scene of the day's alfrexco enjoyment. Close behind them followed another caique with two Effendis, whose attentions soon became more marked than agreeable. Frequent efforts had been made to shake them off—by quick rowing, by slow rowing, and by indignant appeals to them to pass on. But all in vain; they continued to dog the unappreciative fanones till the caique of the latter reached the landing place up in the Valley. There, as if finally won over tv civility, the black slave made signs to the amorous couple to approach. This they cid, in the fond belief that they had at last made an impression, and were about to have, at least, a rendevous ; but, instead of vouchsafing th!s, the black slave, Abigail, seized the boat hook of her caique as they came alongside, arid soundly belaboured both amidst the loud laughter of the crowding spectators, before escape was possible. They finally beat a retreat down the river, alternately hissed and laughed at, till beyond the wooden briagc—Xevan* Herald, May 14.