Provincial and General.

Otago Witness, Issue 1474, 14 February 1880, Page 7

Provincial and General.

[BANKRUPTS WITHOUT ASSETS. In refusing a discharge to an Auckland bankrupt recently, Judge Gillies said.'— l have Bomethingtosayiu regard to this case, and in regard to such cases generally. I see toat tne bankrupt, in the statements of his assets, has nothi&g-that is estate is nil. My attention has been called to this? circumstances, and J. have carefully considered the provisions of the Act in respect of such fact, where it occurs. I am clearly of opinion that the Act was never intended to apply where the debtor has no assets. The whole machinery of the Act is intended to provide not only for the relief of the debtor, but for the equal division of his estate among his creditors Where the debtor has no estate to be divided it is a solemn farce to have trustees appointed, meetings of creditors where there is nothing to be divided. There is no reason for an individual in such a position coming to this Court for relief. His person is protected by law ; he cannot be touched by any of his creditors. Ha has no estate that can be touched, and no one creditor can have advantage over another, became there is nothing to be got out of the estate. I therefore see no reason why a person of this description should come before the Court for relief. The law has protected Mm by preventing him being imprisoned, and he haa protected himself by h&vingno assots. JPfnich circumstances, I am of opinion that the Act does not apply. I shall not in this case, or in the other cases of the kind that may be brought before me today, act on this opinion, I shall grant the discharge where it is proper, in accordance with previous practice— which practice, however, I think, has been erroneous. But lam very clear that the opinion I have just expresaed in the correct one, and I may intimate that in future I will act on tho principle act forth in it, whore there are no assets in a bankrupt estate. I shall hold that the Act was never intended for such cases, and I shall not grant any discharge.

CAPTAIN MOONLITE'S LAST DAYS. In an article on the execution of the Wantabadgery bushrangers, the_ Sydney Eyoning News says :— " Scott is said to have written a full and, as he has affirmed, truthful autobiography, giving the chief incidents of his career from his boyhood, and has dedicated the narrative to the respectable woman who had bo mysteriously, yet withal devotedly, loved him, and whom he has enjoined to do all in her power for the early release of the reprieved young men, Williams and Bennett. This woman left her home, relatives, and friends, in Victoria, and since her arrival in | Sydney has been working might and main, night and day in behalf of Scott and Rogan, the former of whom, it is her conviction, was quite a different man to what he is deemed and represented to be, and that his character is only thoroughly known and uuderstood by herself. She is now borne up with tho hope that, sooner or later, some remarkable circumstances will ho brought to light which will remove much, if not the whole, of the stigma of Scott's life as a crimi nal, and death at the hands of a common hang man. Scott communicated with most of his friends and relations while in his condemned cell, and requested the person referred to to procure him a number of bibles, prayer, hymn, and other books. These were furnished, and he has inscribed and addressed one to each of his relatives and principal acquaintances in different parts of Australia, to whom they were forwarded to-day. His physical condition improved while he was condemned, and that haggard appearance which he presented at the close of the trial was completely removed. He would chat incessantly with those who vi3itad him, and often paced his narrow cell in the merriest of humours, while he spoke of his approaching death with astounding complacency. There were times when he would fly, without apparent cause, into violent rage, particularly at one time, upon the receipt of what is said to have been an anonymous

letter, in which he was described as a coward who had attempted to place the blame of the bushranging exploit on the shoulders of his confederates. The contents of this letter for a, time removed many of the good impressions made upon his mind by Canon Rich and Mrs Gregory." THE NECESSITY OF HANDBOOKS FOR COLONIAL TOWNS.

"Fuller's Sydney Handbook" is a compilation of much merit. At the nominal price of 6d, an excellent map of Sydney is given, and 108 pages of really valuable information. It eeems a great pity that such a work has not been brought out for Dunedin, Great nuraberß of tourists visit us, and it is highly desirable that they should see our ?ity thoroughly, and tell the world what manner of men we are. But of the hundreds who spend a few days here, how many visit the University, the Supreme Court library, or explore the lovely walks in the direction of the butts or the reservoir ? We doubt whether one in ft thousand, even of residents in Dunedin, know that there are Bpots on the Town Belt, within 200 yards of the houses in Heriot row, where you can sit on grassy knolls overlooking the city, and feel as secure from the invasion of the profane as if you were in a remote pass of the Southern Alps. The Sydney Handbook before us gives almost everything a stranger requires, and gives it well— 30 well, indeed, that the little pamphlet is worth keeping for purposes of serious reference. A complete list of the members of both Houaes, Wk history of the city, a catalogue of all societies, places worth visiting, and public institutions go far to render the tourist independent of that objectionable individual, the professional guide, and save him from laying a burden on his friends, whose good-nature is often sorely tried by requests to be shown the " lions " of their native place. The low price of the handbook is explained by the fact of the advertisements being numerous, and we may add the work is beautif nlly printed from new type.

THE KELLY FAMILY.

During the past two days (says the Argus of January 24th) Kate Kelly and her sister (Mrs Skillian) have been seen in Melbourne. The object of their visit is not known, but it is Btftted that thoir excuse for visiting the metropolis is the desire to secure the presentation to Parliament of a petition praying for the release of their mother, who is now undergoing a sentence of three years' imprisonment for assaulting Constable Fitzpatrick when he attempted to arrest a member of the outlawed Kelly gang. THE SOUTH SEA-SLAVE TEADE.

The schooner Stanley, on her recent trip with returned islanders from Queensland to Fiji, seems to have been converted into a literal black-hole, Her " cargo " consisted of 150 Kanakas, and these unhappy wretches were battened down in the hold for 30 hours at a time, while the schooner ran through the tornado that recently visited tbo3e latitudes. Fifty of the poor " nigs" died, and one fellow committed suicide after being discharged from

the hospital. His late experience of life on

the ocean wave pousibly induced the thought that death on shore would be infinitely preferable.

A WONDERFUL STROKE OF BUSINESS.

A gentleman in Auckland (says the Herald) has received a letter from a relative in Eng land giving an account of a clever and daring business stroke. The writer, who dates from Liverpool, says :— " We have had great excitement in the cotton market. A German Jew, called Ranger, baught, some months ago, all the cotton in the United States that was likely to reach this port in October. He then went about in Liverpool, buying all the cotton to arrive from the local brokers. They sell cotton that has no existence if they think it a good speculation, trusting to buy in a lower market, and so hundreds and thousands of bales ara sold daily that have no existence. Mr Ranger bought from all who would sell, with the promise that the delivery would take place in October. When October came, and the cargoes began to arrive from Anterica, the brokers found that they could not make purchases, that the cargoes were disposed of, and were not for sale. Mr Ranger then called upon the brokers to fulfil their contract to him, failing which, he would execute the penalty for non-delivery. They found that no one had cotton except Mr Ranger, and they were obliged to go to him te buy in order to sell to him again. The delivery under these contracts wa3 to take place before noon on 31st October. During the last days in October the excitement was terrific, and the Exchange on the last day of the month was a little Babel itself. A place about the size of the Albert Barrack Square was filled with a clamorous, excited multitude, shouting and hollowing at the top of their voices, justj ust like the mob on the Derby Day, when the horses are first eeen rounding Tattenbam corner. In all this whirlSool of excitement Mr Ranger was as calm as upiter. He clears L 150.000. Ho is a short, thickset man of 48, with a firm, determined chiu, not a happy face. He has tho telegraph wire alongside his bed, from which he can send messages and news all over the world."

CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT.

In a letter in reference to the coming visit to Dunedin of Pastor Ohiniquy, which appeared in the Daily Times last week, the writer above the Ifom de plume ef " Abdul," indulges in the following reminiscence : — Take, for example, the lives of two men of our own epoch— John Henry Newman and George Augustus Selwyn, both men of singular natural gifts, both trained in fervent piety, both beloved and honoured by their fellowmen. Follow them to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, through the best and widest education that the world can give, to their ultimate determination to enter the church, With all the mental and intellectual faculties stimulated, broadened, and refined by the comprehensiveness of University education, they direct their minds upon the one study of what I must call Theology, since there is no better word. What guides have they? What advisers? What surveys of the ground upon which to build the fabric of their faith? The same ancient writers, the same Christ, the same apostles and prophets, the same fathers, the same events of ecclesiastical and general history, and — the same Bible, or inspired Word of God. These two great men become clergymen of the Church of England, believing and upholding her particular catechism of Christianity. Both live such good and pure lives as may well be the bright exemplar of all that come after them. The one, retaining unswervingly his early impressions, adhering to his own interpretations of the evidences of Christianity, lives and dies a bishop of the Church of England, excellent above all his peers ; the other, renouncing his early impressions, discarding his former interpretations, lives a Cardinal and Prince of the holy Roman Church, of all Englishmen of bis day the most esteemed and be oved. " Who," the writer then aeks, "is to Hay which of these two chose the right? Is Pastor Chiniquy? And of the two whom do you think has the greater claim upon your generous forbearance — John Henry Newman, long a Proteßtant clergyman, accepting later the doctrines of Borne, and preaching them with a tolerant, humble spirit, or Pastor Chiniquy, long a Roman Catholic priest, accepting later the doctrines of Protestantism, and preaching them in an intolerant, arrogant spirit?" In Monday's Times "Fides" replies to this question as follows:— To thia_ I would simply apply "AbdulV'own words, which will answer both phases of the query," It is admitted by every man who does not hide the talent which the Great Head of the Universe has given to him uuprofitably under the earth, that he who suffocates his struggling reason with the cloak of traditionary dogmas and patristic ordinances will be, of all men, the least fit to teach and preach to the human race." This is exactly what " Abdul" contends Newman has done. This is exactly what Pastor Chiniquy has heroically Bhaken himself free from. The one has unresistingly submitted to give up the exercise of his reason, while the other, who was born under the faith which suppresses reason, has wrsstled for intellectual freedom, has shaken off the incubus which stifled its power, and has placed his mental functions in their destined position. Which, then, is the most capable of solving the riddle propounded by " Abdu\ "—reason swathed in grave-clothes, or reason soaring on her natural pinions ? ' ( Abdul " answers above.

THE REPORTER J. P. IDEA ECLIPSED.

At a Mormons' meeting at Auckland recently, one of the " elders " requested a reporter who was present to lead the pinging. The reporter did not feel equal to the task, as not coming within the ordinary scope of his duties, and the •' elder" then sang a hymn by himself.

THE REVIFAL IN THE ENGLISH IRON TRADE.

Now that we have proof in. authentic figures of the extent of the American demand for iron (remarks a Home paper), the largeness of the demand furnishes the best reason for the great effect it has had on our Home trade. In October we sent to the United States no leas than 87,491 tons of pig iron, whereas in the corresponding month of last year the quantity sent was only 3208 tons. Of every other enumerated clas3 of iron there were increased exports to the United States, the growth being most marked in " tin plates," railroad machinery other than steam-enginea, and general hardware and cutlery. And the official trade and navigation returns, the details of which prove these facts, also show that British North America has been taking much more pig and railroad iron, as well as a larger value of steam-engines. Putting aside France, we < are not doing a larger trade in these metals with European countries ; but the increase in the shipments to America gives a very large increase for the month. And though the rise in freights and the scarcity of Teasels has caused a momentary falling-off in the exports, the shipments are now again beginning to increase ; and at ths lower prices that have followed^ the lull several additional largo orders for iron of various kinds for America have been placed, which will swell tha future returns. For the time being our colonies are restricting their orders, and the lessened shipments to Australia of iron goods last month, prevented the American increase from affecting the total so fully as it would have done otherwise ; but if the increased shipping facilities that are being provided for tho colonies are any test, we may expect a better trade with them next year.

DREADFUL SOCIAL STATE OF IRELAND.

" A Mayo landlord " sends an English contemporary some examples of the secret intimi dation which prevails in his county just now"Every man," he writes, "is afraid of his neighbour : rich and poor, landlord and tenant, priest and people. My rent day came laßfc week, and two tenants paid their rout who had been working for me during the year. A stack of hay belonging to one of them was burned down the same night J and since then a threating notice has been stuck up on the chapel door naming each individual, about ten in all, who have paid their rent this year. The gene, ral cry is that the people have the money and are ready and willing to pay, but that they dare not. Every man of any position has to go armed, and neither landlords nor farmers are happy at being out after nightfall. Within seven miles from where I write there have been one murder and three attempts at; murder, and I do not think that I am wrong in stating that every landlord and large farmer in the barony has received one or more threatening letters within the last few months."

ARTIFICIAL DIAMONDS.

The Scotsman, of December 18bh, has the following with reference to the alleged discovery by a Glasgow chemist of how to make diamonds :— At a meeting of the Glasgow Philosophical Society last night, Mr James M'Tear, of the St. Rollox Chemical Works, made the announcement that he had discovered the way to produce diamond?. He said he had submitted the result of his experiments to Professors Tyndall and Smyth, and other scientific gentlemen in London, and they were now in the hands of Mr Maekelyne, of the British Museum, as he was desirous ot having some competent opinion as to their correctness. After having thought very carefully from time to time, for a period which dated back to about 1866, and having made various < abortive experiments, he had at last succeeded in obtaining crystalline forms of c&rbon. They were perfectly pure and transparent, and had all the refractive power of a diamond. They had its crystalline form, resisted acid*, alkalis, and the intense heat of the blowpipe. They also scratched glass. The only other test to which they could be put was whether they would scratch a diamond, or whether a diamond would scratch them. The refractive index of the crystal and the measurement of the angle of the crystal had not yat been taken, but would be very shortly. He would bring some of the diamonds before them on a future occasion. In the meantime, he was pledged to let the Royal Society have the first sight of them. There was no doubt in his mind, or in the minds of the scientific gentlemen he had consulted, that they were diamonds, but he had in the meantime called them pure crystalline forms of carbon. He had obtained them of the size of one thirty-second of an inch.

HONORARY RANK IN THE ARMY.

Among the many points in British military organisation which come under the criticism of the Captain of the Pomeranian Uhlans in his article in the "Fortnightly Review," not the least striking is the development which so-called honorary rank has undergone of late years. _ To take one example : It is usual when a captain of militia has served for a few years in that rank to give him the honorary rank of major, and when a major of that service is promoted to lieutenant-colonel to give him simultaneously the honorary rank of colonel. This rank gives him no precedence among other officers ; he still takes his place in a garrison for all military purposes as a lieutenant-colonel ; nor does it give him any additional pay. All that it confers on him is the right to put on his card and to be addressed in letters by a title that does not really belong to him. To understand the full absurdity of the practice, we have only to suppose the same sort of thing introduced into, let us say, the peerage, so that a viscount might have the honorary rank of earl, such rank, however, not giving him any precedence over other vhcounts, or any privileges in his order. And if the thing is good for the army, why not introduce it into other professions, and give some of the bishops honorary rank as archbishops, [and puisne judges honorary rank as chief justices, and a crop of barristers honorary rank as Queen's counsel? Foreign officers say that our system of brevet promotion is a mystery which they can never understand ; but the newfangled system of honorary rank is still more unfathomable. Nor can it be pleaded that the practice, if unmeaning, is harmless. This cheapening of military titles is in < truth distinctly mischievous. Just in proportion as the higher ranks of the army become choked by this multiplication of honorary titles, so, especially by the honorary promotion given on retirement, do all military titles, and in particular those heldjby the real combatant officers, become degraded.

A MINISTER CHARGED WITH DRUNKENNESS,

A man unjustly accused of being mad is much to be pitied (says the Pall Mall Gazette). Hardly less bo is a man unjustly accused of being drunk, for whereas in tho first instance he runs the risk of losing his liberty, in the second he loses his character, and perhaps his employment, and is often ruined for life. One of those hard case 3 catno under the consideration of the Free Church Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale at their meeting recently, and is interesting as an illustration of the dangers to which a Scotch minister is sometimes exposed at the hands of a critical and fastidious congregation. The Synod was engaged for 11 hours in hearing an appeal by a minister against the findings of a Presbytery under a libel charging the reverend gentleman with being intoxicated en three or four occasions, one of these being when he was in his own pulpit in September, 1878. The Presbytery had found the charges proven, and against this finding an appeal was made to the Synod. The first charges having been disposed of by the Synod reversing the decision of the Presbytery, and sustaining the appeal, ths charge of drunkenness in the pulpit was made the subject of investigation. The evidence against the minister was certainly of a startling nature : — " The first prayer he offered up was in a very 'ravelled' state — there were veraes in the chapter read, the 40th of Job, which needed explanation, and none was given — the sermon was in a ' ravelled' condition," and one witness stated that the Minister " was rather of a ghostly appearance, of a pale white and blue mixed," In the end the Synod came to the conclusion that the charge was not sustained, and reversed all the decisions of the Presbytery. It seemed certainly hard to pronounce a man drunk because his complexion is like that of a ghost. Moreover ghost's complexions are not invariably "blue and white mixed." Some well- authenticated ghosts have almost rosy complexions, and look remarkably well.

A STRANGE OCCORBENOE.

A singular accident occurred at a saleyard in Ballarat recently. The auctioneer was submitting a young horse to auction within the sale arena, the outside of which was densely packed with buyers and others, when the ani mal was startled by the ostler, and, jumping a four- foot barrier, fell among the crowd. Three farmers, named Edwards, Stuart, and M'G-uin-ne3s, oaiong the crowd were injured. Edwards had several of Ma ribs broken ; Stewart's leg was fractured below the knee ; and M'Guinness sustained a severe scalp wound. The injured men were taken to the hospital,

moonlite's mysterious female friend.

A correspondent of the South Australian Register gives the following episode at the trial of Moonlite -.—The night before tha termination of the trial, a woman arrived from Melbourne, a decent, comely, tear-stained woman, who, woman-like, clung closer to the ruin of a man because it wa3 a ruin. She found me and wailed out her hopes that something might be done. I told her that all that could be done had been done, and assured her that it was better the end Bhould come quickly than that the object of her solicitude should linger again in gaol, and come back to the world (if ever such a thing could happen) a worn-out, decrepid, heart-broken man. to which she replied with true womanly feeling that even then some one might solace him, and enable him to spend the rest of his days in peace and preparation for another world. The relations between Scott and this bowed desolate woman I do not know anything of, but I can bear testimony to her womanliness, and trne sympathy. I was glad to turn her over to the sheriff, who enabled her to obtain an interview with the roan ehe Bought. Such is what I know, or am as yet permitted to tell of Scott, alios Moonlite.

NUMBERING STUDENTS.

The Melbourna Argus says :— "Sir Redmond Barry, as chancellor of the Uniyertsity, has written to the Chief Secretary with regard to the proposal advocated in Parliament that, in conducting examinations, the students, instead of signing their naaaes, should bo known by numbers only. Sir Redmond Barry says :— ' Individually I have formed on opinion which is strongly opposed to the adoption of such a mode of dealing with our y»ung men, because I believe it will, by creating a < feeling of sus* picion and distrust, interfere with the honourable confidence which ought to be reposed in them; that it will be equally injurious, as casting a slur on the honour of the examiners, assuming that they are capable of partiality, favouritism, andiu justice ; and, moreover, will be altogether useless iv securing Becrecy, inasmuch as the handwriting will betray the identity of the individual.' However, the subject ia under the consideration of a special committee of the Council of the University, and if tUe proposal is adopted Sir Kedmond Barry says it will be his duty to carry it out."

DEAD MEN'S VOTES.

The following anecdotes were told in the Victorian Legislative Assembly during a recent discussion, in which the subject of rollstuffing was introduced :— Mr Carter denied the statement that he was the representative of the Melbourne Cemetery. So far as that denial was concerned, it would be sufficient to tell a simple story abou*; one person who went to vot9 at the first election. On the arrival of the pretended voter at the booth, the scrutineer for Mr Francis, knowing that the voter whom he represented himself to be was dead, remarked : " Sir, you have been in a hurry to rise." The person asked, " What do you mean ?" and the reply was, " I know that you died only eight months ago, and it is rather early for your resurrection."— (Laughter.) The scrutineer on the other side appealed to the returning officer to stop this kind of interrogation . The returning officer did so, pointing out that only oertain questions could be asked. These questions were answered triumphantly, and the scrutineer for Mr Francis was asked, "Are you satisfied now?" That gentleman replied by calling upon the voter to sign his name, saying, " If you do sign the other man's name you will be in trouble to-night." The man, who came from the island that gave the Attorney General birth, twisted about for a moment, took up the pen, and throwing it down again, paid, "Begorra, I won't vote to-day at all," and left.— (Laughter.) Mr Hunt said he had also heard a story about a dead man voting at the West Molbourne election. When a voter came up a scrutineer said, " Another one from the graveyards ?" and the answer was, " Do you think an Irishman could lie quiet in his grave when an O'Loghlen had to be returned?"— (Laughter.) There was just as much truth in the ene story as the other.

SCAB IN MAORI SHEEP DISTRICTS IN THE NORTH.

The Carlyle correspondent of the Wanganui Herald writes that for some months past upwards of 2000 sheep have been running on the Waimate Plains, and it appears that all are, more or less, in a very bad condition from scab. The Native*, however, refused to lot the sheep inspector, Mr M'Kenzie, inspect them, saying that that would be acknowledging the title of the Government to the land, as he was a Government officer. Mr M'Kenzie thereupon returned, and laid the matter before Government, when he received a reply, "That the sheep must bo inspected at once." Mr M'Kenzie replied that he would go with a strong guard of the A.C., but not otherwise. Soon after this Mr Caverhill was sent for by the Natives, and went up and inspected the sheep for them. He informed Mr M'Kenzie of the condition of the sheep, and his letter has been forwarded to the Government, but up to the ( present nothing further has been heard about the matter. A meeting of settlers in Hawera was held, and Mr Middlemas (chairman) sent all the particulars to the Government. VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL PROSPECTS FOR 'THE YEAR. As far aa can be judged, 1880 will be a very prosperous year for us (writes our Melbourne correspodent by last mail). Mining is looking up slowly but steadily. In the Saudhurst district alone the profits were £26,794 more in 1879 than in 1878, while the calls were less and the dividends more. In Ballarat there are tho same encouraging returns. The price of wool was from 15 to 20 per cent, higher at the end of last year than it was at the beginning, and tkere is evory indication that the market will continue firm. Our clip of wool is this year a very good one. Bub agriculture is in the most flourishing condition. Last year we j exported 25,000 tons of breads tuffs ; this year we expect to send away something approaching 150,000 tons ; co that, between agriculture and wool-growing, there ought to be between three and four millions placed to our credit this year more than we roalised in 1879. A foolish attempt has been mado by tho Conservative papers to frighten the farmers by tailing them that freights with us are ao high that they will swallow up all their profits; that Protection is the cause of their being co raised. The fact ia that in New South Wales, where they have no shipments of grain worth mentioning, freights are only normally iowor thaa with us, whilo in Adelaide they are conoiderably higher, as also, according to our ls&eib advices, ia Calcutta, Batavia, and Sail Francisco. Freights to London are now at 60s, and it is feared that they will rise aa the season advanoes, t

LIVELY PROCEEDINGS IN VICTORIAN POLITICAL

CIRCLES. . The Melbourne Herald has the following :— That was a graphic Bpeech which Mr Bent delivered at Maryborough last Saturday evening. When he came forward to apeak, Home people in the hall cried, " What is your name? aud Mr Bent replied promptly, "Thomas Bent ; I'm a cabbage-grower, and proud to own it," dt which there was great applause. Ihen Mr Bent said that the working men had sent him to Parliament, and somebody ejaculated, "You are not true to them"; whereupon Mr Bent retorted, significantly, "Let that person say as much outside." So far the Bpeech was really refreshing ; aud presently, when some person cried out, "Service is going to make a whip of you," and Mr Bent answered that he "threw back the vile assertion to the lowmind that gave it utterance," it became most animating, and quite in the style of Mr Potts' editorials. We are told that this remark excited loud applause, which was increased when tho honourable gentleman exclaimed that "If that man would but tell him the same thing outside he would punch his head for him.&

A MONSTER OF THE DEEP.

Instances have be9n known hitherto of sharks attacking boatn, but few cases (says the Sydney Morning Herald of the 24th January) have occurred showing more strikingly the ferocity and determination of those monsters than the following : — About 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon a fisherman, named William Smith, accompanied by Mr Thomas Marlio, of Woolloomoolloo, were fishing for black bream off Chowder Bay.^ They had their lines down about an hour without, however, even so much as a nibble. Smith then caught several large jewfish, but thinking there were sharks about, he baited his sharkline and threw it overboard. Ha had not long to wait, as, suddenly, the line went ''by the run"— a shark was hooked. After great difficulty, the monster, which proved to be about 12 feet long, was hauled to the surface of the water, a little distance from the bow of the boat, which, however, he no sooner saw than he rushed at it openmouthed, seized it by the stem, and shook it as a terrier would a rat. Fearing the boat would be capsized, Smith got his lance, and, as he says, "pierced the shark through the heart," which caused it to relinquish its hold. Nothing daunted, however, the monster returned to the attack, coming up on the side of the boat at which Mr Martin was Beated. Fortunately his lower teeth struck the planks low down, and his upper jaw was thus unable to seize the top plank. Had he succeeded in catching hold of the top plank, he would most probably have either torn, it out or capsized the boat; perhaps both. What would have followed in that case is left to the imagination of the reader. However, Smith succeeded in wounding him onoe more with the lance, and he was then towed over to the beach at Chowder, where he lived for over an hour after being landed.

QUICK PASSAGES IN PROSPECT.

Two sanguine inventors, hailing from Sandhurst, announce that by a discovery, or rather invention, they have just made, in the form of screw-propellers, the passage between these Colonies and London can be done in 15 days. Men of means with money to spare are invited to assist them.

RUSSIAN SCARES AGAIN.

Considerine: the possibility of a war with England in Central Asia, a great deal of attention is devoted just now in Russia to a project prepared for presentation to the Government for the immediate construction of a railway line connecting Orenburg with Tashkent, whioh is to be subsequently extended to Samarkand and the extreme Russian frontier in the direction of India. The length of the line is calculated to be 2650 verstes, or 1650 miles. The money required for that line is represented in the said project by the respectable figure of 174,500,000 roubles paper, to be provided by establishing a Russian Railroad Bank, issuing bonds bearing a Government guarantee of 5 per cent.

MISSION WORK IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

The Rev. Dr G. A. Turner, forthelasfcl2 years missionary in the South Sea Islands, and lately arrived from Samoa, preached recently in the Independent Church, Emerald Hill, Melbourne. He gave an interesting sketch of missionary labours in the Navigators, Gilbert, and other groups of islands, extending from 13 deg. south to the equator, comprising a population of 35,000, now all Christians. Iv Samoa they had a Theological Institute, where they trained native pastors, who were distributed throughout the villages and email islands. They were injSamoa 40 villages, each having a church, and mostly built of stone, with glass windows, and. kept exceedingly neat and clean. Besides this outlay, each village supplied > the pastor with a house and daily food, and a little money to get clothing. In addition to this liberality, they contributed yearly towards the mission funds. Last year they paid L2OOO for the support of pastors, and LISOO to the Missionary Society. He gave a number of instances of their liberality, such as that of one small island of 423 inhabitants building a stone church, giving L 72 to the pastor, and L 65 to the Missionary Society ; and another of 228 inhabitants erecting a stone church and schoolroom, giving the pastor L 25, and the Society L 33. In one island the Peruvian slavers kidnapped 247 men, women, and children 15 years ago, and, excepting one man in a consumptive dying state, none ever returned. A fearful account was given of the droughts ia the Gil' bert group, where, in 1877, 216 died of actual starvation, and the population decreased by 2000 in four years.

HOME EULE PROPOSALS IN IBELAND.

Tha Standard observes that a significant test of the value attached to the Home Rule movement by the Irish people was furnished the other day in the course of the proceedings of tha Irish National Convention Committee. Mr Parnell recently submitted a plan of organisation to the Committee, the chief feature of which was that 1 a subscription of one shilling should bo necessary to entitle a person to vote for the election of a delegate to the proposed Conyeatiou. Mr Michael Davitt, a liberated Ft nian prisoner, yesterday brought forward a fresh plan, base.], as he assured the Committeo, on O'Connell's scheme for the organisation of the Irieh House of Com." mons. By this it is proposed to appoint 300 delegates, who, while engaged in the business of the Convention, will be training themselves fitly to represent the Irish people when an Irish Parliament assembles on Col-lege-green. They will have ample time, no doubt, to qualify themselves, more especially as the Convnntion is not to be convoked until the year 1882 But what Mr Davitt was most anxious to pra?s upon the Committee, was the advisability of abandoning tho " shilling subscription." He believes in manhood suffrage and the ballot, and contends that it would be far better for 500,000 Irishmen to take part in the organization than that some ten or twenty thousand men should be entitled to exercise the francbisa by virtue of a shilling payment. He frwkly admitted that a shilling franchise would never attract a sufficient number of the. people of Ireland to empower themselves vote for delegates,