MISCELLANEOUS.

Otago Witness, Issue 823, 6 September 1867, Page 17

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Labor M\b,kex in the United States. — The American correspondent of the- Times says : — "There are at present "but. few labor strikes in any portico of the United States, those that were in operation a few weeks since having in almost every case resuHed in the triumph of the employers and the discomfiture of the ' strikers.' There are so many people out of employment that it is almost impossible for laboring people now to procure either an increase of wages or a reduction of the hours of labor. Mills in all parts of the country are running on diminished time, and the enormous price of materials interferes with building, so that hundreds of thousands have "been turned out of employment. Nor is this alone the case with the working classes. In all the large cities there are hundreds of young men unsuccessfully seeking employment as merchants' clerks. Early last week, a New York merchant, engaged in but a small business, advertised for a clerk. The salary was small, the work required close attention, and the inducements to seek the place were but few ; yet in two days he had 209 applications for the clerkship, many of them coming from persons Avho could speak several languages, and possessed other valuable accomplishments. A similar case occurred in Philadelphia, a person having advertised in one of our newspapers for a * cashier.' The advertisement appeared about ten days ago, and over 600 applications have ' already been received, and Bcores of them are still coming in. The New York Times, referring to these circumstances, considers them to be one of the many proofs of the widespread stagnation of the business and the redundancy of labor in many departments of activity. It will be admitted that times like thfise are not favorable to labor strikes, nor is it to be wondered at that nearly every one of the twenty, and more trades in Philadelphia and Nevf York that have recently struck for higher "wages closed their strikes nvuch worse off than when they began. With regard to wages, it is reported that one of the largest Western railroads has adopted the principle of paying its common labourers the price of a barrel of flour every week, finding this to be a more just and satisfactory mode of measuring the value of labor than to pay a fixed sum in paper money. It is assumed that the cost of living is more likely to follow the price of flour than the fluctuations of the currency. In New IZork the working men are deliberating upon the proper course to pursue to secure the advantages of the ' Eight-hour Law' passed by the last New York Legislature. Employers have taken no notice of this law, and the hours of labor continue as ihey were before its passage. Warned by the failure of the laboring classes in Illinois and Missouri in their eight- j '"• hour strikes, the New York working i men are proceeding very cautiously ; but it is evident that they meditate a general strike throughout the State at the end of June to secure the benefit of the law, and only delay itin order to procure the co-operation of the greatest possible number of trade unions. In Chicago, the few laborers who secured the eight- hour system at the recent strike were mostly employed by the Board of Public Works, andthey secured the reduced time only by submitting to a proportionate reduction of wages. It is now reported that they have petitioned the Board to allow them to go to work again for ten hours, with a corresponding increase of wages. " Mineral Wealth in thk United States — The mineral wealth of the United States, in Colorado, Nevada, and Idaho will noon be as accessible as the mines of Michigan and the Atlantic States. The announcement in the New York Tribune, of May 31, that the Union Pacific Railroad, under President Dix (the American Minister at Paris), Vice President Durant, and Treasurer Cisco, will be completed to the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and fully equipped with locomotives, rolling stock, repair shops, depots, stations, &c, on September 1, connecting Colorado with the Atlantic coast ; meantime^ the Central Pacific Railway, which has already been completed for 100 miles east from Sacramento, and is now ■being rapidly built to connect with the Union Pacific Railroad, creates for the silver mines of Nevada and Idaho a railway communication with San Francisco. The construction of the Pacific Railroad will add more than 100,000 to the industrial and mining population of the Country, whilst the tide of emigration from the East is now rapidly filling the pleasant valleys with hardy and thriving agriculturists. As in California, so in Colorado, in Nevada, and Idaho, successful results are mainly dependent upon the cost of labor, supplies, and transportation; and these are now to be obtained at prices that will greatly enhance the value of

the mines. The silver mountains of Idaho territory are supposed to contain the richest mines of silver that have yet been' discovered upon the American continent. In our issue of June 8 we alluded to the specimens of ruby silver, &c. , that, in the . Paris Exposition, represent the mines called Poorman, Oro Fino, and Morning Star, upon Oro Fino Mountain, Carson district* Owyhee County, Idaho. The extraordinary results obtained from the Poorman in less than six months' working has excited such general interest, that we have been induced to reproduce from an American journal the sectional map of the mine, to show its location upon the eastern crest of Oro Fino Mountain, and to exhibit the small space from which silver ore was mined that produced, by the old mill crushing and amalgam process, over 800,000 dols in bullion. Of this ore upwards of fifteen tons were selected and shipped to New York, via San Francisco, that produced an average of 68 per cent, in bullion. From this shipment were j taken the specimens exhibited at Paris, i one of which weighed, when mined, 5101b, j heing the largest piece of ruby silver on record. Mr Wells D. Walbridge, the superintendent of the Poorman Mine, has under his control the equally valuable and productive Oro Fino and Morning Star Mines, which are also situated upon the Ore Fino Mountain ; ores from these mines have been assayed by Messrs Johnson, Matthey and Co., and Mr F. Claudet, of London ; and numerous bullion bricks, the product of the Morning Star Mill, exhibited at the Union Bank. Mr Walbridge has forwarded to London photographs of Oro Fino Mountain, its water power, crushing mills, mining houses, &c. ; sectional maps M the mines, the monthly record of the product of the mines, cost^of production, of supplies, transportation, &c. These can be seen at the office of Mr W. H. Grenalla, 52, Cannon street, E.C., to whom we have been requested to refer all such as are desirous to become interested in American mines. — Mining Journal. Flying Machines. — A bird is sustained in the air by the weight of that fluid, and the sustaining power of its wings will depend upon the quantity or weight of air that would have to be displaced by its fall. By a wide stretch of wing, and a horizontal motion, the resistance is maximized, and a long- winged bird that has raised itself in the air may avoid falling by maintaining a certain horizontal velocity with a moderate expenditure of force. A kite is sustained, and moved obliquely by the force of the wind, and the weight of the air which its fall must displace. Thus there is some analogy between a wing and a kite, it being mechanically pretty much the same thing, whether a breeze blows against a resisting surface, or a resisting surface is moved against a mass of air. Mr Wenham cites an experi- [ I ment of Captain Dansey, in which a kite, ; having a surface of only 55 square feet, ' raised a weight of 92}lbs in a strong breeze, and he considers that exploring [ kites might be safer and more convenient [ than exploring balloons for purposes of [ war, though their employment would be | dependent on the force of the wind. Not- \ withstanding the ingenuity of the prel ceding explanations, the reader may 7 scarcely be prepared to admit Mr Wen- ' ham's inference, that " man is endowed 7 with sufficient muscular power to enable 1 him. to take individual and expended flights, and that success is probably only 1 involved in a question of suitable mechan1 ical adaptations." An imitation of the bird's length of wing is out of the ques- } tion, as we have no means of constructing 3 a mechanism equally strong and light, and of similar proportions in length and ■ breaith to the weight that has to be carB ried. The possible solution of the pro- . blem is thus explained. " Having re'c marked how thin a stratum of air is dis- - placed beneath the wings of a bird in rapid c flight, it follows that in order to obtain the - necessary length of plane for supporting 1 heavy weights, the surfaces may be superf posed, or placed in parallel rows, - with an interval between them. A d»zen - pelicans may fly one above another - witho\it xnutual impediment, as if framed ; together ; and it is thus shown how two , hundred weights may be supported in a i) transverse distance of only tei« feet. " Can r any mechanism, either moved by man, or li by inorganic motive power, be constructed s to operate successfully on the principles 1 thus explained 1 After carefully reading n Mr Wenham's paper, few scientific man c would venture to pronounce the solution 0 os the problem impossible, and we have 1 reason, to believe it has materially modified a the opinions previously entertained by some c of our best mechanicians and physicists, g The paper is full of close reasoning, and n differs entirely from the illogical specui- .lations often put forth by enthusiastic c projectors, who set to work according to t; methods tfyat inevitably lead to failure, s iFrom certain experiments described by if jMr Wenham, the nature of the difficulties

to be overcome, and the kind of possibility that may be convertible into actuality, are made clearer than they were before, and many facts discovered of late years in reference to the action of screws as substitutes for paddles in steam navigation, and in relation to the flight of various shaped projectiles, may come in aid of the aeronautist. It is remarkable that previous to the invention of balloons, flying machines were pet schemes with many philosophers. The gas balloon especially t^rew them into the shade, but the investigations of the infant Aeronautical Society operate in the reverse direction, and tend to create a believe that if aerial navigation is ever to assume practical importance, it must be through the agency of some mechanism more manageable and less liable to derangement than an enormous bag filled with a material that has the greatest possible aptitude for escaping through the minutest pores. — Intellechud Observer

Improvement of Railway Property. — The Bullionist remarks :—": — " What the Railway Committee of the House of Lords proposed in 1849, with reference to the accounts of railway companies, has now become absolutely imperative. The recommendation of their lordships was, that * a uniform regulated form of accounts should be prescribed for all railway companies ; and that the accounts should be more explanatory/ The committee also recommended that the following particulars should be comprised in the form :—: — 1. A full statement of the Parliamentary powers to raise money, and how it was to be applied, how it was raised, the nature of the securities issued, the conditions and rates of interest applicable to each, and the amount of money obtained and in arrear. 2. A capital account, explaining how the money raised had been disbursed. 3. An account of the ordinary income and expenditure of each railway company. The Committee further recommended that the right of shareholders should be unrestrained ; that all accounts, without exception, relating to the receipts or payments of any company, should be produced, if required ; and, in case of refusal, the statutory penalty to be extended from the book-keeper to the governing body ; also, that the registered list of shareholders and transfer books should be accessible to the shareholders. It was also recommended that the restriction of selecting auditors from -jmongst shareholders should be repealed ; and that auditors be appointed with power to call for all books and documents necessary to elucidate the balance-sheet, and the whole financial condition of the company. Unfortunately the Bill which embodied these excellent provisions did not become law. But there cannot be a doubt that the passing of an Act which would render most of these conditions compulsory, would tend materially to place railway property upon a sounder and a more satisfactory foundation."

Drvoß.cE Case. — In the "Divorce Court, Edward Cholmeley Dering prayed for* a dissolution of marriage with his wife, Harriet May Dering, on the ground of her adultery with the co-respond-ent, Alexander Theophilus Blakely. The respondent denied the charge, and the co-respondent further pleaded that the petitioner had connived at his wife's adultery. The petitioner is the son of Sir William Dering, member for East Ke^t, and he married the respondent at St. John's Church, Paddington, on the 29th October, 1861. She was the daughter of the Honorable Mr Capel, brother of Lord Essex, and was previously married to Viscount Forth, from whom, during his life, she had endeavored to be divorced. The co-respondent, Capt. Blakely, is well known from his connexion with the Ordnance Company, which bears ( his name. He was a friend of the petitioner's, and was a constant visitor at his house in Bolton street. Mrs Blakely also visited Mrs Dering, and great intimacy apparently prsvailed between the two families. In April, 1860, they went on the Continent together, and afterwards

the petitioner and respondent accompanied Captain Blakely in a short cruise in his steam yacht Ceres. On their return, towards the end of May, 1860, they went down to their residence at Cliff- place, near Hay, in Herefordshire. On the 30th May the petitioner went out fishing, and it was arranged that Mrs Dering should meet him in the centre of the day, andboth drive home together. Instead of doing so she drove on to Hay, and then came on by train to London, telegraphing on the way to Captain Blakely to meet her at the Great Western Station, which he did. On the following day the petitioner 1 followed her to London, and endeavored through the interference of a mutual fripnd t© induce her to return to him. She, however, declined to do so, and subsequently cohabited with Captain Blakeh/ at different hotels in London. There was no issue of the marriage. It was proved

that when the friend referred to called <m Mrs Dering at the Great Western Hotel, ho found her with her mother in a state <df great excitement. She declared that aasb<e had deceived her husband she would not saturn home, and then and there proceodflfi in a cab to Captain Blakely's residence. Thence they Avent to the Great Nortbem Hotel, where they passed as Colonel asal Mrs. Fellowes, and they subsequent^ lived at other hotels as man and wife, it was also proved that the petitioner was much affected by his wife's elopement There was no defence. His Lordship e& pressed regret that the co-responden£ should have put upon the record a pleach connivance against the petitioner. A mooe insulting insinuation could hardly be vawSee against a husband, and no man should xeb up bu -.h a plea without evidence to support it. Decree nisi, with costs against the co-respondent.

Thk Drawing-Room. — The Court «£ Friday was a brilliant one in the way <Xc costumes, but the number of ladies psasented was small. The Prince of Wales was not present, and the Court circle was rai her small. The Queen wore the uasai mourning costume. Her Majesty, wease happy to say, appeared to be in excelled health after the recent Northern sojourn. Among the most beautiful costumes wcanethose of Lady Gecrgina Cathcart, Lady Cecilia Bingham, (who wore some very fine diamonds), Lady Georgina Ghrcy., the Countess of Lovelace, and Lady Rolle, both the last-named ladies bcJJ^j remarkable for the diamonds they woaas. Amongst the most remarkable of iha presentations, both for grace, beauty sbs& elegance of costume, were noticed Miae Isabella Foster, daughter of Mr Foster M.P. of Stourton Castle ; Miss KatMftea | Lane Fox, Lady Ida Luinley, and Misc Rashleigh, the only daughter and heiress of: Mr and the Hon. Mrs Rashleigh. This beautiful young lady was ma& simply and gracefully attired. The Drawing-room on Saturday week was as. small one, but the company present nnoE.bered many of the elite of the fashionable world, who wished, perhaps, to pay j& personal compliment to the aniiabfe Princess who held the Drawing-room oca. behalf of her Majesty, and consider it & duty to maintain the prestige of ifo& British Court, out of respect to the Queen, and the Royal Family. The number <£ gentlemen who attended was, on tia© other hand, extremely small, if we exoejafc those who belong +o the diplomatic coxpss. The number of debutantes was 101, aa^L certainly there was the usual display t& loveliness amongst the youth for which fk& Court of St James's has ever been f amotssIn the ranks of the married ladies these was also, as usual, much beauty. TJ&e Duchess of Manchester, the Duchess c£ Newcastle, the Marchioness of Bristol, and Mrs Constance Phipps were remarked, among the many. To the belles of ilxo season already presented will now ho added the names of Miss Milner Gibsoaa and the two Misses Winslow, who looisa£. like charming embodiments of GreuzeSs pictorial representations of youtbfcS. grace and beauty. Miss Ida HowassS. was one of the belles of the Drawingroom, and most gracefully attired. likewise the same distinction is the due <£. the Lady Mary Herbert, daughter <&c the Lady Mary Herbert of Lea and ftlte late Lord Herbert, also of Miss Boyd,tfoe youngest daughter of Mrs Boyd, wbc presented her. Miss Matthews' was amongst the most distinguished ck&srtantes (the future bride of Lord Arfclsar. Clinton), also Lady Mordaunt, the fo-usia.. daughter of Louisa Moncreiffe. Sit© wore some beautiful diamonds, and vxs most tastefully dressed. Madame BisclioSß^ sheim was in mourning, but most beoaatingly attired. The prevailing colors wess 1 white and blue, and noticeable lor &«r grace and elegance of costume was tic Duchess of Manchester, who wore soess splendid diamonds. The train seemed $» be of rich black silk, with buncbes «& variegated roses embroidered all over,, ths jupon being of soft material, forming saa elegant contrast. The costume was w<££t suited to display to the greatest advastage the beauty of the lovely weawar. The Duchess of Newcastle, the Maa?chioness of Bristol, the Countess of Beehigh, Lady Herbert of Lea, Mrs GohLs** of Cluny, Lady England, Lady Eokewood Gage, the Marchioness of KilAaff^, and Mrs M'Queen, were all most teesbafully and becomingly attired. The Lasft three ladies also wore very beautiful gensr.

A Discharge for Aniline Colors. — A. process, important to printers nsis^g, aniline colors, has been devised by Datsge--ville and Gutin. They substitute, ramp-ike the New lork Tribune, for the powdtawfl. zinc now generally used, a solution of peemanganate of potash in a slight excess^, dilute • sulphuric acid, • thickened" kaolin, pipe-clay, or gelatinous- silicate - With this they print ; oxidation >afc» place, and the fabric is nearly colorless. The small portion of oxide of manganese remaining is readily removed by a weatfe bath of sulphuric acid.'