LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 10 April 1890, Page 14

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The first of a course of six lectures was delivered in the Athenaeum Hall on Sunday nighfc by Mr W. W. Collins, the subject being " The evolution of religious beliefs ; or Christianity a developed Paganism." Mr W. M. Bolt, in the absence of Sir Robert Stout, who was unable to attend the lecture, occupied the chair, and there were over 150 persons present. Mr Collins maintained that all religious beliefs were the outcome of man's relationship to his environment, and that the chief ideas of the Christian religion were held in some shape or form nundreds of years before Christ was said to have lived— in short, that Christianity was but a modification of Paganism. The lecturer spoke with considerable fluency for about an hour and a-half During the delivery of the lecture he was frequently applauded, and he resumed his seat amidst loud and prolonged demonstrations oi approval. A sensational murder was perpetrated at St. Kilda, near Melbourne, late on the night of the 29th ult., when George May, son of R. W. May, a florist, of Carlisle street, St. Kilda, was shot dead by his nephew, a lad of 16, named J. H. Bennett, as he was entering the gate of ns father's garden. Tho shot was heard about haltpast 11, and when the neighbours ran out May was found dead, with a bullet through his heart. The police were soon on the spot, and searched the place, but could not find any trace of the weapon with,, whichj^the dee.a

• -was done, and therefore concluded it -was a case of murder. The deteotives first

- proceeded to Mr May's (sen.) house to question ■ the inmates as to what deceased had been doing) ■ and there they discovered young Bennett, who lived in the house with his mother. He ap- , peared agitated, and on being closely questioned by the detectives he acknowledged he had committed the murder because he hated the de-

' ceased for striking his mother. He further confessed he had purchased the revolver a fortnight before, and kept it ready loaded for an opportunity to shoot his uncle. That opportunity occurred on the toight in question. He knew his uncle would come home about half-past 11, and before that hour he slipped out of bed, ran to, the gate, and hid in the hedge. His untie came along, and was opening the gate, '^?hea the lad fired the shot, which went straight Hhrough his uncle's heart. He never waited to

ccc the result, but crept up to bed. After the shot was fired the deoeased called out murder once before dropping dead, and this was heard by neighours, who gave the alarm. The murderer was employed as an ironworker. He lived with, his mother, the sister of deoeased, in the same house with Mr May, sen., and his murdered eon. Deceased was of a taciturn nature, and about a fortnight before shook his sister roughly and struck her. This appeared to rankle in young Bennett's mind until it terminated ia the tragedy now told. Tbe Wanganui Herald says : — " We have good

ground for believing that what we may call the -work of colonisation will be, pushed forward -with much greater rapidity, and on a much more •extended scale, in the near future than it has

ibeen for many years past. The Government are 'thoroughly impressed with the necessity , of laying themselves out for the acquisition of Native lands in large areas, and of having the blocks so surveyed, roaded, and opened up for settlement. A strong public feeling is growing up in favour of the opening up of the country, ■and the Government of the day are anxious to respond as far and as fully as the representatives of the people may be willing to authorise them. Oat firm opinion is that no man to-day need fear to go back into the bush. It matters •not how far he may go, he will not long be lost 'Sight vf. Settlement will overtake him before &c kD.ows where he is."

The cunning British manufacturer has been one too many for the credulous Portuguese. They were in & flaming rage, and they wanted something which should at once glorify the great patriot who is being so carefully kept out of the country and express their despite of the false, fleeting, perjured Briton. The English merchant was ready with the very thing they wanted, and had pleasure in introducing to their aotice the " Serpa Pinto Hat," which soon be<oame the rage. That the hat was a symbol of hate of himself and his countrymen did not matter two straws so long as he made a swinging profit out of it. He •did not advertise the patriotic headgear as of : British make ; and the hatters were making too good a thing out of it to let the cat out of the bag. But at last the little game was seen' through, and tbe Lisbon hatters are denouncing their brethren who, "by the sacrilegious use of the glorious major's name, have insulted all the sons of Portugal." But what are the sons of Portugal to do? If they cannot make Serpa Pinto bats themselves they must needs get them from abroad, even from England. The straggle between patriotism and interest of the just Portuguese made perfect is full of entertainment for the profane Briton.

An inquest was held at the Sheffield Union 'Workhouse in February on the bodies of three infants under five weeks old, the mothers of "whom were inmates of the lying-in ward. The children all died in one day, after l the administration of powders prescribed for •■ them %y Dr Lewis Hunt, the medical' officer of the house. Dr Hunt, in examination, ad-

mitted that tbe deaths were caused by an overdose of opium, due to a mistake on his part in writing his prescription. Intending to write 10 grains of Dover's powder, divided into 20 packets, he unfortunately wrote 20 grains divided into 10 packets. The consequence of the mistake was that on one of the •powders being administered to eaoh of the children it contained a fifth instead of a twentieth of a grain of opium, and the former •quantity was an excessive dose for infants of so early an age. Dr Hunt expressed his deep regret and pain at this misadventure, stating :that at the time he wrote the prescription 'he <was suffering himself from neuralgia of the ■stomach. The jury returned a verdict of

•"Death from misadventure," and expressed

"their satisfaction with the manner in which Dr Hunt accepted the entire responsibility for his mistake.

We (Christchurcu Telegraph) are credibly informed that Christchurch has very probably not seen the la3t of Clampett. It is now some months since he shook the dust of New Zealand from his feet, boasting that he had made £1000 by his frauds. From Auckland he went to 'Frisco, thence to Chicago, London, and Bristol. In the last-mentioned town he attended an evangelical service, presided over, we believe, by Dr Guinness, who is not unknown in New Zealand. Clampett walked on to the platform in his usual stately manner, and took a front seat. He wished to take part in the proceedings. Strange to say, in the hall was a man who had in his possession a letter from New Zealand, in which Clampett was described, and his doings narrated. This man suspected Clampett, and those conducting the meeting asked if he was the person referred to in the letter. He said he was, but expressed great contrition for his offences. He was told that he could not be allowed to take part in the proceedings, and tbat he should put himself right with the people of Christchurch. He declared his intention to do so, and left for America. By a recent mail a letter was received from him in Chicago, asking formeans to bring him back to Christchurch. He declared if sufficient money was not sent him to provide a cabin passage back to this colony, he would come in the steerage. Incredible as it may seem, we are informed that £70 has been raised or promised in Christchurch for the purpose of meeting his wishes, and that the money had been or will be sent to him. Some of those who wore his supporters when hero last are very indignant at these steps being taken, utterly disbelieving as they do in Clampett's latest professions. For our own part we should rejoice to know that Clampett had become a better man than he was, but we do think a profound mistake will be made if he be brought back hero. Oatbe former occasion he did religion a great deal of harm in this city, and we tbiuk there can be no question bufc he will add to that harm if he appears once more among us, as there seems every probability of his doing.

A former member of the Pall Mall Gazette's staff has* just returned to London from the United States, after some seven months spent in studying American journalism by the practical process of earning his daily bread as a working journalist. He has come back impressed with three great Weas-finfc, that the profession of journalist is harder m New York than it is in Loudon ; secondly, that the growth

of trusts establishing a monopoly of articles of necessity is the most portentous peril that threatens American development ; and, thirdly, that the Pope has far more power in the Btates than in any Catholic country in the Old World. The papers are afraid to print a word to which the priests take exception, and any Catholic who goes to hear Dr M'Glynn lecture is excommunicated. As for the development of trusts, he reports that the chief capitalist of the Standard Oil Trust has accumulated a fortune of £32,000,000, and that ,the growth of the colossal monopolies is giving an extraordinary impetus to the formation of associations whose gospel is Edward Bellamy's "Looking Backward." That book— the Socialist's apocalyptic vision of the new heaven and the new earth— is still in great vogue all over the Union, and may yet produce results as notable as those of " Uncle Tom's Cabin." Mr Osoar Meyer, Commissioner for New South Wales to the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, has been appointed to represent that colony at the forthcoming Universal Mining Exhibition to be held in London in the Crystal Palace. A special meeting of the Land Board was held on the 3rd for the purpose of hearing objections to the reductions deoided upon by the board in reference to land held by 12 settlers at Glenkenioh. After evidence had been taken about the matter the board deferred their decision. The Railway Employes' Association of New Zealand, whose members number 4500, have made application to be associated with the Maritime Council. At the monthly meeting of the Gaelic Society, held on on the evening, of the 2nd Mr D. M'Lacblaa presided. The teoretaryi in the course of some remarks, reviewed the controversy regarding the meaning of the motto "a' ae' oo'," and concluded by reoiting a psalm translated into Scotch by Hately Waddell. Mr J. G. S. Grant delivered a short address on the necessity of amusements of an innocent and intellectual, character. In the concert which followed, Mrs Lawrence, Miss M'Donald, Messrs L. M'Donald, D. Munro, Colin M'Eenzie, D. M'Alpine, and. Alexander Boyd contributed selections. The pipers were Messrs M'Kechnie, M'Donald, and K'Kenzie. Mr Hugh Clark was elected a' member.

The Cromwell Argus learns that the rabbits are slowly but surely spreading towards the West Coast. The rabbits have not yet reached the seaboard, but the time is not far distant when they will. Some of the weasels liberated by Mr W. G. Stewart at the head of Lake Wariakahave found their way to the West Coast. They have been discovered near the mouth of the Okura river, south of Haast. \ Mr David M'Eellar, of Brooksdale (says the Southland Times), writing from London, says that New Zealand was rapidly rising in favour in JJondon until Mr Buckley's statements ' about the Bank of New Zealand were published. Once the bank's affairs are shown to be all right there will, in Mr M'Eellar's opinion, be a decided advance in the value of New Zealand securities in London.

The Tapanui Courier says :— " Thousands of sheep are now coming down to the, south from, tho dried up northern districts, but nearly .all. come by road instead of rail, owing to the absurdly high rates charged by the Railway Commissioners for live stock. One buyer alone has this season travelled over 10,000, all of which would have been trucked if the railway freight was not prohibitive. Up to the present time fully 30,000 ; sheep have passed through this district from North Ofcago and Canterbury, and we pan safely" say that the buyers would have gladly, railed the sheep through if the railway tariff' 'could compete with the road in pharges. The bulk of the fat sheep from this part of the 1 world are now driven to Dunedin, and another' looo fat left on Monday en route for the Taieri." A despatch, to , the New York Tribune gives, the following as the, latest and authentic details of the death of a political prisoner :- r - << Madame j Sihida did not commit suicide, as the earliest, reports stated. She died from the effect of the druel flogging to which she was subjected. The flogging, took place on Wednesday, November 6. It was continued until, under the brutal blows, the unhappy victim, lost consciousness and lay as one dead. The poor woman never revived from the terrible sho9k,,but, continued to grow weaker and weaker until Friday, when death o'ame to her relief . The news of her shocking official murder produced widespread dismay and anguish amongst her fellow-prisoners, and three of them, unable longer to bear bheir wretched fate, committed suicide by taking poison. How they obtained 'the poison is not known, bat probably they had long had it in their possession, and were keeping it as a last resort." The system of " zonal " railway tickets in, Austria, it is said, is showing astonishing results, and producing quite a sensation. In four months — August to November— the number of passengers has nearly tripled. During four months of 1888 the number of railway tickets issued was 1,616,000, while, in the corresponding period of last year 4,300,000 were issued. The tickets are available' within a certain radius of zone. No one had dare,d to hope for such a happy result, yet, notwithstanding a radical lowering of rates, the receipbs have increased from 3,188,000 florins to 3,784,000 florins. This is an increase of 600,000 florins, when a great falling off in the receipts was expected on all hands. No doubt this experiment of the Hungarian Government will make a little noise in Europe, or, indeed, all over the world.

The 4th inst being Good Friday was observed as a close holiday. One feature of Friday's holiday was the suspension of all work on steamers in port throughout the colony excepting ie the case of steamers in roadstead ports or tboso carrying her Majesty's mails. This change is due to the Seamen's and Lumpers' Union, and in consequence nearly nil the vessels of the Union Steam Ship Company were detained in the respective ports where thoy arrived. For instance, tho Te Anau, instead of leaving tbo Bluff for Melbourne yesterday, had to wait until this morning.

The railway traffic on Friday was very heavy indeed. About 650 passengers went South by the express, and fully 500 arrived from the sams quarter iv the cvoning; while over 400 patronised the express for the North, and a similar number came in by the North express at night. A special train Itffc Dunedin at 855 on Thursday evening for Christchurch, and took away about 400 passengers.

The supposed discovery of a Rembrandt representing Abraham and the two angels, has made a stir in artistic circles in Paris. The picture was included in the sale of tho furniture of a widow without heirs ordered by the State, and the State experc fixed the price at 200 francs. A Paris picture dealer, who had a hint from the deceased's doctor, bid up to 4000 franc, aud the picture was knocked dowa to him. The Btate expert had described the subjecb as Jesus and the DiEciples at Einmaus— a strange bluuder, considering that the chief

figure was an elderly man, with a long white beard. The story does, not end here. The authorities, after all, are not agreed, some insisting that the work is a Rembrandt, others arguing that the signature and date, 1656, are a forgery. The Times correspondent asked a connoisseur what the picture was worth. " That depends on circumstances," he replied; "if it is by Rembrandt 300,000f, if by one of his pupils 150,000f, for anyhow it is a fine old picture." It seems odd that, the artistic merit being the same, the value should be only half in one case what it would be in the other.

A public meeting was held in the Clinton Town Hall on the 2nd mat to consider a proposal to establish a rabbit-tinning fao'tory, Mr F. Lange presiding. It was unanimously decided to establish such a factory in Clinton. The general opinion appeared to be that Clinton was favourably situated for such a factory, having a good water supply, ready communication with two seaports, and an apparently inexhaustible supply of rabbits. The only requisite now appears to be' the support of the larger and wealthier landholders, the small farmers being in favour of the proposal. A threshing machine and four stacks of oats, I situate at Evan's Flat, Lawrence, were dei Btroyed by fire on the 15th. They were the property of Mr William Robins and Robert Cotton, and were valued at £450, but the insurances amounted to only £200. Ie is supposed that the fire in the threshing engine, not having been-properly extinguished, in some way caused the stacks to ignite. Fears are expressed in the new United States Territory of Aklahoma, in the centre of Indian tertitory } that the negroes, who are flocking there from the South, will establish a negro commonwealth there. The negroes themselves say that they are bound to have Aklahoma, to show to the world that they are capable of governing themselves. The Wellingon Trades and Labour Council, seeing the determined opposition the Fetone Woollen Mills Company are showing to the .formation of a union among their employes, jhave requested the Maritime Council of New •Zealand to consider the whole matter and effect a settlement of the dispute.

, The Mataura Ensign reports that five valuable horses belonging to Mr Edward Brown iwere killed by a special train near the Waikaka siding, on the 2nd inst. Not knowing 'that a [special train was coming, the horses were 'turned loose, and were drinking at a oreek, when frightened by the noise of the approaching train jthey dashed up the embankment on to the line. The train swept five of the animals in front of it across the bridge, the animals being cut jand hacked in a frightful manner. Fortunately the engine kept the rails, or more serious consequences might have resulted. i Mr David Christie Murray, the novelist, had to submit to the inevitable interview in Wellington. Having spent upwards of three months iv New Zealand, it is gratifying to learn that he )s greatly pleased with his visit, and now finds it difficult to tear himself away from the plaoe. " My opinion of the Lake and Sounds districts," he said, " it is almost impossible to fully express in 'words. Te Anau Lake I was especially charmed with— it is simply glorious. I know the whole of the European show from east to West and from north to south, but there is hothiog in European scenery to eclipse what' I have found in New Zealand, There is much joom for the landscape artist in New Zealand." One of the most remarkable things about New Zealand, to his mind, Mr Murray went on to say, was the advance it had made over Australia with respect to culture — the knowledge and love of books and art. " In. Dunedin," he said, " I .found mOre people who pared about such matters than I. did in, the whole Of Australia, and I am not' speaking without the book, f or I spent four or five months in the' <j>ther colonies, and was almost everywhere. My opinion is confirmed, too, by my friend Mr Santley, whom I met in Christchurcb." We have, however, one fault— we are too self-depreciatory, ye deory our own country— talk about it most apologetically, as if there was something about jt that needed a good deal of explaining away Mr Murray thinks this is not at all necessary. { Mr Edward Wakefield has contributed to the magazine "Outing" an article under the heading " Catching frost fish with a shot gun." We (LytteUon Times) confess that the title made us strain our eyes not a little. However, we read on, and discovered that tbe writer did not quite mean that frost fish were shot with cartridges of No. 5, but that the breechloaders o,f New Zealand fishermen have to be employed in preserving their fish from the voracious attacks of the sea birds. He describes very pleasantly how he and a friend, a certaiu Major Pitt, walked along the Waikouaiti beach just as "the dawn was glowing into rosy red," and saw a silver streak flash on the top of a wave. They rushed to the nearest point f, of the, beach just in time to see a frost fish wriggle, out of the water on to the wet santl. At the same moment '* all tbe sea gulls in the sky" seemed to congregate overhead. The two friends fired into the brown, and brought down " four or five" birds. Then they seized one end of their fish. At the same instant, " three or four great sea birds screaming hideously" got hold of it at the other end. Pitt drove them off with the barrels of his gun, but not before they had torn out the eyea of the fish and made some furrows in its side. Truly voracious sea birds those ! However, the yarn makes good reading, and though we have never beard of gulls running fishermen quite so hard for a prey, still that does not prove that the thing may not have happened.

A married woman named M'Eellar, living in Athol place, was foued in an unconscious state at her residence ou Saturday afternoon. Dr Roberts, who was at once called in, advised the immediate removal of the woman to the hospital, to which institution she was admitted at 4 o'clock, but after lingering for an hour or so she died. She was-suffering last week from influenza, but it, was not thought tbat anything serious was likely to occur ; and she had also been in delicate health for some time past.

The Hospital returns for the past week are as follows: — Remaining from the previous week, 101; admitted during the week, 24; discharged, 14; deaths (Mary Evans, David Falconer, James Hoskinp, Laurie M'Eellar, Mary Alexander and John M'Donald), 6 ; total remaining, 105.

The following paragraph from a Home paper is interesting in connection with recent cable massages:— Herr Gerhard fc Rohlfs, the African traveller, publishes in the Zolnische Zeitung an appeal to the German public for about half a million marks (£25,000) for a new Emm Pasha expedition. With this sum Emiu Pasha could, he says, equip himself md return through the German sphere of interest to Uganda and Unyoro, where his appearance would be sufficient to regain for him the provinces formerly governed by him. German East Africa would thus acquire an outlet into the interior, and Emm Pasha reconquer his province which Egypt abandoned long ago.

A number of wealthy young Frenchmen, belonging for the most part to the nobility, hay« just now under consideration a. soherno which,

though likely to remain r&ultlessj is not with* out a certain amount of generosity and patriotism It is being seriously proposed in this set, which includes some of the best names in France, to devote large capital towards rendering Tonquin a valuable colony, by means of railways and so forth, and when this desideratum has been achieved to offer it to Germany in exchange for Alsace-Lorraine. It is thought by the promoters of this scheme that the Germans would be glad to solve the question of the restitution in this way, and would prefer a sure colony to an uncertain province.

Mr Lance, M.H.R., appears to have gained a very poor impression of Mr Pyke's " garden wall,"" as in addressing his constituents at Ashley he stated that he had lately been over the part of the Otago Central that had been opened, and from what he had seen of the laud through which it passed, he thought it would take about a million acres to starve a lark. (Laughter.) He could speak of the benefits of village settlements. There were two in his neighbourhood, one of which, at least, was a perfect success. The awards gained at the exhibition by the exhibits of the Maniototo committee should, however, convince even Mr Lance that there is something better in Central Otago than is to be met between Wingatui and Hindon. The land on each side of the Southern railway between Dunedin and the Chain Hills tunnel conveys but a very inadequate impression of what is met with on the Taieri plain.

The case of Dr John M'Leod, of Napier, who was first arrested on a charge of bigamy, and when discharged was rearrested on a charge of assault, is attracting some attention in social circles in Sydney. A petition for divorce has been filed by the lady he is alleged to have first married, in addition 'to the charge of bigamy. Dr M'Leod is said to be a most cultured man, equally learned in medicine and divinity. He was a clergyman of the Presbyterian Churoh, and had a church in Sydney at one time. Miss Mary Cameron, the lady from America whom, it is alleged, Dr M'Leod deceived into a form of marriage, is prosecuting at tbe instigation of the relatives of the other Mrs M'Leod, by whom she was brought to Sydney. Mrs M'Leod is well connected, and married Dr M'Leod in opposition to the wishes of her relatives, on account of which Bhe, was obliged to forfeit £1000 a year out of an income of £1500. She is at present at Parramatta. Miss Cameron is staying at the Grosvenor Hotel, Sydney, and is very seriously ill. She is a lady of good social standing, and particularly handsome and cultured.

A connection between tight collars and shortsightedness is scarcely apparent at first, but it has been indicated in the operations of Dr Forster, director of the Ophthalmic University of Breslau. In no fewer than 300 cases that have come under his notice, the eyesight was affected by the pressure upon the muscles of the neck, and consequent disturbance of the circulation caused by wearing collars that were too small.

Wellington papers report the death at the ago of 24, from typhoid fever, of Mr James, Robert Ferguson, son of Mr James Ferguson, chief clerk in the Dunedin Post Office. The deceased, who held a position in the Wellington Poßt Office, was oue of the teachers of the Wesley Sunday School, and at the funeral four of his most intimate friends and fellow teachers acted as pall-bearers, the Rev. J. Berry conducting a most impressive service at the grave. Apropos of the motion for a writ, owing to the vacancy by the disappearance of Mr Fyne, the Liverpool Post London correspondent says:— 4* Just before starting for Holyhead Mr Pyne went to a colleague in the House of Commons and handed him his watch, asking him to take care of it for him. The member was puzzled at this request, but accepted the commission. When news came of poor Pyne's disappearance what was doubtless his original intention was carried out, and the watch was forwarded to his wife. On the dial there was roughly engraved the words, ' Pay no rent.' ' This was one of Mr Pyne's original devices, akin to his famous exploits in his castle. Whenever, in troublous times, any of bis poor neighbours came to him for advice as to what they should do in the face of a demand for rent, Pyne would shake his head, • I cannot give you advice on this subject,' he said, < because Mr Balfour says it is illegal. But I'll tell you what I'll do. I will show you what time of day it is,' and handing out his watch the inquiring tenant read upon it the admonitory legend."

The Tuapeka Times understands that Mr Donald Reid has no intention of offering himself as a candidate for Bruce at the next general election, and that Mr James Smith, of Greepfield, has positively declined to come forward.

At the sitting of tbe District Court, Queenstown, before Judge Ward, last week, and during the hearing of bankruptcy cases, some discussion took place 'as to who acted as official assignee in tho district, when Mr Turton said that he had discharged that duty. His Honor said that the assignee could not depute his power to anyone, but that, if he could not be present, the Governor had to appoint a man, and he was therefore astonished at the conduct of the official assignee.

The obituary writer (says the Scotsman) will probably pass without notice the death which occurred on Monday morning, 13th January, from apaiuf ul aud incurable disease, of a humble Aberdeenshire pensant, to wit, John M'Gregor, which took place at a farmhouse overlooking the village o£ Kiucardiae O'Neil. Yefc this man was the father of Sir William M'Gregor, the present Governor of British New Guinea. A shrewd, hard-headed old Scot he was, who had passed his life in the severest physical toil, but one who, in spite of an uphill battle for bread, struggled tooth and nail to give his son " a college education." That boy, the type of the poor but clever youbhs that annually enter at Aberdeen University, more thau requited his fond father's self-sacrifice. Qualifying for the medical service, he went to Fiji during the time of Sir Arthur Gordon's administration, and having attracted the notice of that capable administrator, was promoted to fill a variety of posts, ultimately becoming Receiver-general.

The petitioas against the election of a licensing committee for South Molyneux were dismissed by Mr H. M'Culloch on the ground that the statutory public notice of the inquiry had not been given.

Among the presentations to Rev. F. W. Isitt, on leaving Invercargill to take charge of the Wesleyan circuit at Nelson, was an address with a gold pencil case from the Roman Catholics, in recognition of his attitude on the Irish questioo, which was that of one who had risen superior to prejudice and, without fear of consequences, had openly avowed his convictions ou a subject of the deepest interest to the Irish. The spokesman added that the Catholics of Invercargill wished Mr Isitt farewell as heartily and cordially as any member of his own congregation, and he could personally express high appreciation of his exposition and practice of Christian doctrine. Mr Isitt said that if the address had been presented simply as from the members of tbo Triah commuuity he would not have thought fit to make

i^^—^^^^^■■n -■■■ fJL any reference to difference of creed, but the address came distinctly from tbe Irish Roman Catholics of tho community, and he was sure his congregation would share with him the deep gratitude with which he, as a Wesleyan minister, received it. When anything created an impression iH the minds of Roman Catholics that Protestants were anxious to see justice done, it was a distinct gain to the cause of religion, The churches had been long and unhappily divided, but he hoped they would recognise that however they might differ, they were all children of God, and would treat each other as brethren, and seek to understand each other more perfectly. The North express was nearly two hours late on Monday night, having been detained at Goodwood,, where the engine attached to the 4.45 p.m. train from Palmerston to Dunedin had left the rails. No damage was done.

The railway returns for Monday show that 700 passengers arrived from the South, that 450 went North, and that about 500 came in from the North at night. A train to Mosgiel conveyed over 650,t0 the Taieri races. Th§ excursion train, which arrived fro.m Cbristcburch on Friday,' starfedon its return journey last night at 8.55 p.m., and the exoursion from Dunedin to Christchnrch, which left on Thursday night, is expected to return this morning. Altogether the railway traffic during the Easter holidays has been exceedingly heavy, no doubt on account of the exhibition, and it is creditable to the authorities that all arrangements have been carried out without accident.

The Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's steamer Scotia, having on board the duplicate cable to be laid between Sydney and Nelson, New Zealand, left the Thames on the 20th ult. for Sydney. She is expected to reach her destination about the middle of next moutb, and to have completed the laying of the cable, which is 1365 knots in leßgtb, by the end of that month. The company declare that the large expenditure (over £200,000) involved in duplicating the New Zealand cable is not mndo to meet traffic requirements, as the existing line is more than equal to the transmission of tbo present traffic, but is provided Boltly for the purpose of strengtheaing and improving tbe telegraphic 3ervice with New Zealand.

The average juror at an inquest rarely attempts to interrogate skilled witnesses when they are giving expert evidence, but occasionally an incautious member ventures to do bo, and finds himself beyond his depth. Snob, an instance (says the Argus) occurred at the inquest as to the circumstances attending the murder of George Thomas May at St. Kilda. Whefl the highly technical medical evidence as to the post mortem examination of the body of the deceased had been concluded, the coroner asked the jury whether they wished to put any questions to the witness. One of tbe jurors rose and interrogated Dr Neild, who had made the examination, as follows : — " After you had interviewed the dead body of Mr May, could you indicate from the condition of the body the mental state of the deceased's nssailant ? " The question appeared to puzzle tbo doctor for a moment, but soon a burst of undignified laughter occurred, and the dieconifited juror was recommended to advertise his query &g a "prize puzzle.

The largest gun in existence has been sent by Messrs Krupp to Cronstadt. It is of cast steel, weighs 235 tons, has a barrel 40ft long, a diameter of 6|ft in the largest part, and a bore of 13£ in. Its range is over 11 miles, aud it will fire two shots per minute, each shot costing from £250 to £300. In the trial of thp war monster the projectile— 4ft long aud weighing 18001b, and propelled by a charge of 7001b of powderpenetrated 19|in, and went 1312 yd? beyond the target.

An amusing action in connection with trades unions has just been brought to light, Lord Armstrong, the founder of the famous engineering works near Newcastle-on-Tyne, is a deadly enemy to trades unionism in any shape or form. His firm has been for some time past existing in the shape of a limited liability company, and its shares can be obtained in the open market. Now in the north of England there exists a flourishing trades union, who have accumulated funds amounting to £10,000, which it was desirable should be invested in some good interest-paying securities. It; was resolved to purchase preferential shares in the Armstrong Company, which at tbe present time pays, and probably will for a long time to come, handsome dividends. It is evidently a good joke for the Armstrong Company to be assisted by £10,000 of trades union money when Lord Armstrong is such a bitter enemy to all unions.

The following passage from the chairman's address to the meeting of shareholders of tho National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand recently held in London is of interest : —"I have already several times pointed out to you, and, in so doing, I am only repeating what chairmen of all New Zealand companies, in addressing their shareholders, have stated, that the evils the colony has been experiencing are those of an over-eagerness on the part of investors to lend money there, accompanied by a growing inability to bear or pay off the loans when made. I can only repeat that story. When new companies were coming out month by month, and when large insurance companies found it, or thought they found it, worth while to send out special agents to get their money placed, it did not require a great gift of prophecy to foretell that the day must inevitably come when good investments at remunerative rates would be scarce, and bad securities find eager takers. I find that among the companies which started since 1877, »n<l which have liquidated, or are in process of doing so, there are no less than five important agricultural and agency companies which have paid scarcely anything backti their shareholders. This naturally diminishes, and will dimiuish the competition for investments to which I have already mado allusion. As imprudent borrowing had been the practice, not only of private individuals, but of the State of New Zealand at large, it must be interesting to all those engaged in New Zealand trade to know tbat tbe Government seems to have adhered pretty closely to tho programme laid down for its guidance, ia so far as economy in expenditure and abstention from further borrowing are involved."

The Railway department announce special excursion arrangements for the close of the exhibition. Cheap tickets will be issued at stations between Waiareka Junction and Waitati and between Clinton and Henley (including Lawrence branch) on the 11th, 12th, 14th, and 15th inst., and will be available for return up to and including the closing day, Saturday, 19th inst.

A noted Tasraanian, "Tom Jennings," died last week. He was proprietor of the Harvest Home Hotel, and his great weight, for he was the biggest men in Australia, led to his house being a resort for visitors of all cases. None would think of leaving Hobart without a run out and chat with " Old Jennings." His weight was 32<fc, his height sft lOin; chest measurement, 68\n ; w*ist, 82in ; and calf, 20|in. Ho wan horn at S^rpam Head, Allcrton, nenr Bradford, Yorkshire, October 6, 1824, aud was there*

fore in his 66th year. Jennings was one of the oldest Freemasons iv Tasmania.

Since last Saturday the " soldiers " of the Salvation Army in Dunedin have been celebrating the seventh auniversary of their organisation in this colony. " Major " Hammond, commander of the Southern division, and Mrs Hammond have been in command, and 24 field officers have had the task of assisting them. On Saturday and Sunday special meetings were held, and on Monday a grand review of "troops" took place in Mrs Worsdell's paddock, NorthEast Valley, following which came a '• birthday banquet " in the barracks in the evening. One of the speakers at this meeting stated that in 1883 there were only four Salvation Army officers in New Zealand, but to-day there were 61 corps throughout the colony* two Maori camps, 95 outposts, one " flying brigad ," three rescue homes, and one prison gate brigade— all worked by 185 field and staff officers, while there were over 3000 soldiers. An officers' council was held yesterday, when it was decided to adopt "Colonel" Taylor's suggestion to inaugurate at once a great soul boom— that is, to save 3000 souls in the colony within the next six months. It has been decided to establish a training garrison for young men cadets at Ohristohurch early in May. The celebrations were brought to a close on Tuesday night with a large meeting in the barracks.

Our cablegrams this week announce that the town of Bourke, in New South Wales, is in some danger. The following from the Age will show how the residents prooeeded to prepare for the flood: — "The people of Bourke have exhibited presence of mind in a remarkable degree in the face of the danger from the Darling tributaries that has been menacing their town. At a meeting called to devise measures of protection against the expected flood it was decided to erect a dam round the town ; but even under the shadow of peril itself the residents did not forget what was due to themselves and the Government in such a contingency. They petitioned for a sum of £750 to carry out the work, the money was granted, and tenders have been let accordingly. This to proceed according to rule and precedent. It is disquieting to think what might have happened had the flood reached the town before these formalities were completed.''

At a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Horticultural Society on Tuesday evening, Mr F. Eemplen presiding, it was decided to hold the chrysanthemum show on the 15th May, and judges were appointed. The offer of an annual trophy of the value of £3 3s, by Messrs T. Patterson and Co., for the best collection of apples and pears at the May show by bonafde fruit groweis, was again under consideration, and the secretary was instructed to communicate with all known fruit growers asking their co-operation, and intimating that the object was to encourage the growing of late keeping varieties which at present have to be imported.

A remarkable story of a young woman's misfortunes while in search of a husband comes from Hungary. She was the handsomest girl in the village, and all the young men fell in love with her. Before she was 20 she had received an even hundred offers of marriage, but had refused them all. She made up her mind at last, however, to get married, and accepted the 101 st offer. The young man was killed in an accident, however, before the wedding. Thenextfofferwas accepted, but the lover wa3 drafted into the army. Two others were accepted in turn aud met a like fate. The next two on the lUt were in turn drowned bofore they could be married. Two more thuu presented themselves in turn, but both broke off the match because of the smallncsß of tho girl's fortune. The ninth got drunk and beat the girl before the ceremony was performed, and the match was thun broken off. The tenth candidate turned out to have a wife already, and the eleventh ran away just before tho ticuo set for the wedding. Thoroughly discouraged, the beauty then took a dose of poison and killed herself.

Despatches from Russia iv the American papers say that the strike in Russia is iv truth a revolt, and is treated as suoh by the authorities. Facts have come to light whioh show the terrible punishment dealt out to striking working men. A falling off in trade called the proprietors of certain large mills to discharge a number of men. When this became known a crowd of semi-savage working men gathered about tie mills and destroyed valuable property. The police dispersed them. During the night 50 of the ringleaders were spirited away. The men then prayed for mercy. It is learned that the 50 men were taken to the salt mines at Cracow, where they were scourged, starved, and treated so barbarously that they sought death as a release. The whole 50 committed suicide.

A patent is applied for by Mr Thomas Begg, of Dunedin, for an invention for carbonising and charring timber.

At Carlton, New Brunswick, two eccentric sisters, Elltu and Johanna Synuatt, related to members of a local legal firm of high standing, have died a horrible death from starvation. They were in the habit of living alone. On inquiries being made at their house Ellen was found to be dead, and her body was in the last Bfcage of putrefaction. Johanna at the time of the discovery was still alive, and lived long enough to be able to say that both became ill of typhoid fever, and were unable to go out and get aid or to cook their food. They had been starving for 21 days, during which time they lived upon biscuits, whioh had been stored under their mattress.

The New Zealand Times states that on Sunday there passed through Wellington on their way to the Dunedin Exhibition, a gentleman uud his wife who have come to the antipodes to escape the "la grippe" epidemic iv London. They state that in the locality in whioh they reside scarcely a single person has escaped the complaint, and as they both dreaded it, their medical man advised them to go to Australia or New Zealand, for there was not a health resort in Europe safe from the disease. To their great surprise they found that " la grippe" had reached even distant New Zealand, and now they want to know where on earth they can go to escape the contagion.

We learn from Rome of the sums taken last year for St. Peter's pence : — From Austria came about £16,000; Spain, £8000; Prance, £12,800 ; Germany, £7200; Ireland, £6000; England, £3800; Belgium. £6200; Switzerland, £2200; Poland, £3408; North Amerioa, £7400; ifouth America, £12,400 ; Africa, £3800; Asia, £4000; R^ aai^ 4ooo; Ital y. and Portugal, £6000. Other sums making up £4000 were collected in Australia, Oceania, Russia, Sweden, Norway, &c. The whole sum received was about £120,000, being less by £6000 than what was received in 1888. The European States which contributed nothing to St. Peter's pence were Turkey, Montenegro, Greece, and Servia.

The new iron tower of London, which is to rise further into the sky than any building of ancient or modern times, was not to reach the first stage of its progress — that of design — till the middle of March. The promoters have, at tho request of American engineers who desire to enter itifo a competition in which a premium of £500 is involved, postponed any decision till then, and probably they will not think it impru-

dent to defer obtaining estimates till the metal markets are somewhat more favourable. As to the site of the London tower, the only point which is practically determined is that it shall be within easy reach of the Metropolitan railway, of which Sir E. Watkin is chairman. This is necessary for its success, and would also be of great value to the railway. The underground railways thrive upon shows. Mr Barnum has turned the decreasing traffic of the District lineinto an average increase of about £500 weekly. On the other hand, without these railways it is not possible to obtain constant crowds. The promoters will naturally choose the highest ground, and are casting longing eyes upon the upper part of Regent's Park, and may even aspire to Primrose Hill.

Proceedings at the Land Board meeting on Wednesday, says the Southland Times of the 3rd, were a little more lively than usual — cause, the presence of a large number of deferred payment settlers, all interested in learning how they bad been dealt with by the board's valuers, Messrs Kinross and Mussen. Taken as a whole, the reductions recommended by these gentlemen seem to be satisfactory, and a few present on their names being called said as much, but others were far from content. One of these made out what seemed a pretty strong oase for himself by pointing out that if the valuers had come round his way in the winter instead of the summer season, and that, too, "one of the best experienced in Southland," they would have been quite ready to recommend a greater reduction than they did. Great complaints were made by Bottlers from near the Mataura of damage oaused by floods, one alleging that if his aoreage disappeared in its waters at the rate it had been doing of late there would be in a few years no land left. Already his area was out up by the river into five pieces. Another dissatisfied settler being asked how he came to give so much for the land at first, naively confessed that he never saw it till afterwards or he never would tiave had it. All, however, submitted to the derisions of the board with tolerable good grace save one, who asked if .there was no appeal from it. Being informed that there was none provided bylaw he left avowing his intention of bringing the matter under the notioe of the Minister of Lands.

Ib may interest our readers to know, on the authority of the Musical World (London), that the great songstress Adelina Fatti uses Liebig Company's Extract of Meat as a vocal and nervine " refresher."