Passing Notes.

Otago Witness, Issue 1296, 30 September 1876, Page 13

Passing Notes.

The Davenport Brothers, now performing in Melbourne, must be remarkably clever, judging from results. It appears that the Spiritists point to them as an undeniable proof of the truth of Spiritualism, while the believers in the personality of his Satanic Majesty attribute their wonderful performance to the aid rendered by that potentate. The Dean of Melbourne, it is, said, is of this latter opinion. No doubt all those people would be very much disgusted to find, that the tricks performed by the Davenport Brothers were done in the most simple manner. At any rate it's a fortunate thing that the Messrs Davenport didn't exist in this world a few cen-. turies ago, as they would most certainly have suffered for dabbling in the Black Art.

The late gale in New South Wales seems to have been one of the most extraordinary ever known, and the loss of life and property is something appalling. Every new account brings word of wrecks aeon, vessels floating upside-down, and

bodies washed ashore. The strength of the gale may be imagined when a vessel at anchor in Newcastle Harbour was blown upside down. The gale at one time reached a velocity of 153 miles an hour, which is far in excess of any hitherto recorded.

The Otago members naturally desire to meet the memorialists ; but 1 feel pretty confident that the latter will not be forthcoming. One or two of their leading members, the real instigators of the whole affair, may be present, though even this is doubtful, and in all probability M'Laren will be their only representative. Well, the mischief is done, and can't be undone; but I've very little doubt that last night's meeting -will show the now celebrated memorial to have been an impudent dodge, got up by a very small ' clique, but one, withal, which considers itself to possess all the intellect of the Province. It's a pity some constituency didn't think so too, and return some of them ; but though two or three of them have made desperate efforts to get into the Assembly, they have always been singularly unsuccessful, and I hope will continue bo.

There has been another bungle made over the Northern Railway by our precious Government; but I suppose we must just grip, and bear it, though it certainly seems hard the railway should be all ready for work, and much needed, and yet cannot be used. But then Abolition will put all these things right, co they say.

It appears after all that the English Government will interefere with the Turks and their little games. Mr Gladstone is reported to have said that there would be hearty co-operation between England and Russia to endeavour to settle the Eastern question. It was quite to be expected that Englishmen would never permit such frightful atrocities as have been lately committed by the Turks, and would eventually force their Government into doing something, in spite of the absurd Ruasiaphobia with which they have been affected for some time past. However, there is little doubt that the Christians have beem making reprisals,' but they would hardly be human were it otherwise. To have their cattle harried, theirdwellings burned, and their daughters taken to replenish the harems of the hated Turk, were enough to cause them, to take vengeance on their oppressors. No doubt the war ib one of religion more than anything else, but it is an elevating and civilizing religion against a brutalising and retrograding one.

In Bond street the other day I observed a fire-engine being worked vigorously by several stout-bodied men, and was rather astonished to see it, as I could see no smoke and had never heard the fire bell. I approached, and discovered that it was being used to pump the water out of a cellar which, being below highwater mark, filled at every flood-tide. It seemed to me rather like trying to float a sieve ; but I couldn't help admiring the sanguineness of the owner of this building, who had been pumping at it for days. I believe, previously to the fire-engine, a syphon had been tried, and that now the City Council's going to be. The syphon did pretty well, but it came expensive. It was worked by water-power supplied by the Corporation, but it used two gallons of water for every one it pumped out, and that wasn't considered a good result.

It seems we are to have a large line of steamers from Great Britain to Melbourne via the Cape, to do the out passage in 42 days and the home one in 44. What a wonderful difference within the memory of man between this new passage and the old one by sailing vessels. There are people still living in the Australian Colonies who remember the time when a voyage out to Australia lasted from six to eight months. Now, one could visit Great Britain, spend five months there, and return all within that time. We shall be within 50 days of Great Britain ourselves, but I hope some day to see a line of steamers running direct from New Zealand. There must be quite enough trade to support them even now.

To those who like sensational reading, I can strongly recommend the Bravo case, for it is one of the most remarkable cases of modern days. Mrs Bravo belongs to a well-known Sydney family, and no doubt great interest will attach to the case in the Colonies from this fact. The report fills a very considerable portion of the Times, and is more interesting a good deal than most novels.

I sometimes go to Church, but when I do so, I am much annoyed by a gentleman who sits in front of me. This person has no idea of music, but he repeats all the responses in a loud and rapid voice regardless of the fact that they are chanted or sung. The psalms ditto,. Owing to his speaking while everyone else is singing, he is always at least two sentences ahead of everyone, and I have known him finish the confession quite two lines before the lesson. I wonder if there's no way of stopping him — he is a bigger nuisance than a dog in Church, almost as bad as a child that will put its boots on your hat.

Sir Julius Vogel is to receive a testimonial from Mr John M'Laren, which will no doubt be highly valued by him. Though written on a dirty bit of paper, it represents the public opinion of Ofcago, or' at least what Mr CargiU and

one or. two others imagine to be, Buch. ' Sir Julius will no doubt have this testimonial framed and glazed, and will hand it down to posterity as one of the rewards of his brilliant career in this Colony.

More of St. Kilda ! That little town is decidedly lively, and it is a very healthy sign that her citizens object to indiscriminate borrowing. There are not many municipalities in New Zealand, I fancy, that would ©bject to the raising of loans, and it would be better ' if there were a few more of them. I must say that I think the Mayor deserves reprobation for his want of courtesy in refusing to call a meeting of ratepayers when requested to do so. He apparently forgets that he is elected by them, and should carry out their wishes, not after being elected turn round and dety them. I suppose he had hot the courage to meet them the other night, in consequence of which he has even wished to resign. It was a good idea bailing up the councillor, and refusing to let him go till he had answered a lot of questions, which, though ready enough to address the meeting,, ho did not at all relish.