Intercolonial News.

Otago Witness, Issue 1230, 17 July 1875, Page 17

Intercolonial News.

The Sydney Morning Herald, in discufl. sing the business a Chinaman did at Cooktowu, in smuggled cigars, silks, and chinaware, says :— John evidently had done well; but in an unlucky moment he approached a large painted building with a verandah round it. He entered and offered his wares, which he readily admitted had paid no duty to a gentleman standing behind the counter. After some inquiry the unlucky Chinaman was told to bring all he had got, and it would all he purchased; but, not liking the look of matters, John tried to get back his gorrfs But in vain ; the goods were iv the grip of &n institution that but seldom re laxes its «ra«p, and John had to depart minus hie goods, doubtle&s regretting the unlucky fate that took him into a Custom.lmage to Mil smuggled goods to the subcollector himself.

There was an amusing incident in the Legislative Assembly last evening," observes the Sydney Evening News. "An Mr Parkes w» engaged debating the question lSjTTft? 6 ? 18 ?. *° t t" Ws of peraona who had lost their lives while engagert on public Bewie«, tbe House was disturbed by the SSS^rf.* person snoring. In a few momenta the sounds became more distinct, nntd thejr were durfuwtiy heard above the VOI( HZ *fc ? ark^' Hen - members looked %£SL )L cham ?. er ' a *«l lot W»Sr beheld a

golden west lying on one of the cross benches asleep, snoring loudly, and perfectly oblivions to wnat was going on in the chamber. Mr Macintosh roused the snorer, and he sat up, but he was soon again taking a nap. This was the man who told his constituents that he would never • shut his eyes to their interests.'"

The Colonial youth in Melbourne must be going a pretty fast pace if the following from the Argus be correct :— A constable found a little boy, about 10 years old, named John Lavcrty. in a lane in Carlton, suffering badly from the effects <«f beer which he had drunk. The constable ascertained that a " young gentleman." of 15 or theieahouts, had purchased a bottle of beer at a hotel, and had shared it with the boy. They bad both also smoked bad tobacco, and had got sick as well as drunk. It was thought at first that young Laverty would die, but he gofc over the effects of the beer, and was taken before the City Bench as a neglected child. The mother appeared, and said that her husband was in gaol for threatening her, and she had to go out washing The boy was sent to school, but would frequently ' ' mitch, " /. c. , play truant. The B-n« h told the mother to give the boy a thrashing, and sent him away with her. Th« Newcastle Chronicle says : — There: resides in Newcastle (N.SW.) a lady and gentleman whose names can be learned at this offi- c who relate the following extra ordinary incident :—": — " The gentleman lost his wife, who died leaving a. child seven months old. The child was given out to nurse at a cost of £2 per week. About three weeks after the death of the mother the child became unwell. One night the nnrse sat rocking the child in the' cradle, when the door was opened, and a lady entered, walking steadily to the cradle, leaned down, kissed the bal»y, and then walked out of the room. The nurse was much alarmed, and in the morning sent word to the child's father to take the child away at once. Tre father sought for an explanation from the nurse, who, af i er much solicitation, related the above circumstances,' and described the appearance and dress of the lady who kissed the child. The father exclaimed, 'My God! it was its mother.' 1 he next day the child died."