LOCAL to GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2236, 7 January 1897, Page 16

LOCAL to GENERAL.

Dr Nansen has returned from the Polar regions to find hini3olf not only famous but rich. For a telegram of 1500 words sent by him from YardS to the Daily Chronicle he was paid £1000. An article on the subject of the expedition was contracted for by the tame paper at £4000, and it was to contain 15,000 words and 16 Illustrations. Tho Daily Chronicle duly published this article in three parts in three consecutive issues. ■• Meanwhile Dr Nansen's agent had contracted with Constable and Co. to write them & book on the expedition, for which he was to receive £10,000. H« made this contraot subject to the agreement alrendy made with the Daily Chronicle, but when Constable and Co. found the publication of the newspaper article was to extend over three days an injunction was applied for. The case was settled without an injunction being necessary on the respondents agreeing to cmfhio their publication to the newspaper iisue. We have to thank the managing .director of Edward Lloyd (Limited) for copies of the Chroniole containing Dr Nansen's thrilling narrative, the first half of which wo republish this week. "

The advent of tho New Year was heralded with the time-honoured manifestations of joy — namoly, the ringing of bells, the shrieking of steam whistles, and the display of firework*. The wintry nature of the 'atmosphere had fcbo effect of considerably thinning tho crowds which thronged the streets in the early part of the evening, but when the clock 9 of the city tolled the fateful hour there was a good sprinkliug of people in the main thoroughfares. The castomary number of festive ssuls, of course, were to be met at every corner, but apart from their somewhat noisy greetings and effusive expressions of good fellowship everything was on the whole quiet and orderly. There wad one except ioa&l case, however, in which some person exploded some dynamite in the Octagon, wrecking some of the windows in the Oban Hotel.

Commenting on the remarks inida by tho Hon. J. M'Keuzis at Getaldine Ust week, when he reproached with ingratitude some of those " who . had beeu helped by the Government when they suffered through the suow," the Timaru Herald says: — "But in making those remarks Mr M'Keuzie unconsciously bore testimony to the rottenness of Seddonian methods and morality. If the Ministry acted pnrely and impartially in the interest* of the State in getting tho aot p^.a^ed an<i fcivitg effect to it, they did nob thereby establish a. claim to the political allegiance of the Cro»n tenants. If, on the other hand, they got the act passed for the purpose of usiog it as a means for staving off political opposition, they were guilty of a species of corruption which has long been associated* with tho t«rm " Seddonism," and which, in fact, is one of its essential ingre .lien's, and causes it to stink in the nostrils of rigbt-niiiuled people."

The Wellington correspondent of the Lyblelton Times writes :—" The railway revenue for the fir*t nine months of ' tho year is in a glorious upward condition. If tbo bafctermeat dots r.ot exceed £80,000 I shall be tsbonished. The Customs department hai« the same tale to tell, and there *ill be a tidy sum to the go A d "there a.* welh The two gre \l indicators of oar syjstetn are poiDtinrg to a miug prospect. Thesa ace corroborated by seme very hopeful letters received in town from London, in which a solid and permanent 4s are anticipated for wheat and good firm prices for wool and increased prices for butter and cheese Meat is thw drawback, and so greatly a-! to point to the imperative necessity for regulation by legislation at this end. Tbtt., I am pe/suadod, will 1)9 oue i of the statutes of next; stssion."

The nineteenth century of the Christian era will close, Rnd the twentieth century begin, somewhere between Christmas of this yenr (1896) and February to April of nexo year (1897). This (writes the •* Hoinilofcic Renew ") has been established by the investigations and calculations of the best scholarship, so that in may be said to bs universally acknowledged that Christ was not born on Christmas in the year 751 after the founding of Rome — as Dionysius mintaVeuly put it in nuking up our common chronology, and a? the Rjman Church endorsed it — but in the yer&r 750 or 749, the latter year being far tbe more probable, and towards the springtime the more probible date. This conclusion rests especial^ upon the indisputable f*cfc that Herorl the Great, in whose reign the birth of Christ took p'aca, died in the fourth year before the commencement of our era, or in the year 4 bc, 'according to the proper reckoning. Thai will be 1900 yea's ago nt-xfc Easier. The 1900 Mi aimmu-*ary of Christ's birth is not, therefore, several years cfF, but jmt upon vs — n > further away thau the close of the present ye« or the opening months of 1897.

The demolition of the block of buildings next; the Bank of New Zealand on Lamb ton quay has brought to light (says, the New Zealand Tunes) an interestiog relic— the bows of the ship Inconstant, which cams in disftb'eJ early in the fifties, and was abandoned on thabaach opposite where Barrett's Hotel stands. Mr John Flimmor bought the ship, called her Noah's Ark, and made her part of a three-storey warehouse. The bows of the old ship, buried now under a mass ot debris, seem to bs as stannch and strong as they were 40 years ago.

Oar Auckland .-correspondent telegraphs :—: — •■ Mr W. R Wilcon, of Broken Hill fame, is at present in Auckland on a visit, but owing to a cablegram he has received he leaves at once for Australia, en route for England. Mr Wilson paid a visit to Mr T. Morrin's and Major George's stables, being himself atone time very prominent in Australian sporting circles. It ii understood that Mr Wilson goes Home in connection with certain valuable West Australian mining properties."

We have to acknowledge receipt of 5] from E. H. for the Tombs fond. We may mention that ♦his Worship the Mayor has kindly consented to aot as treasurer to the fund. We learn from the resident secretary of the Mutual As«ar»nce Spciety of „ Victoria that the scheme of amalgamation or union with the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia was unanimously confirmed at meetings of the respective institutions held in Melbourne on the 29th ult. News was received on 29th ulfe. of the death, after a brief illness, of Mr Bussell J. Goodman, .chief postmaster at Timaru. The deceased gentleman was well-known iv Danedin, having been for several years in charge of tha money order branch here, afterwards occupying the position of chief clerk. He wa? then trans* ferred to Wellington, and afterwards promoted to Timaru. He married a daughter of the lato Mr A. Young, of Wellington, well-known in the old coaching days. Mr Goodman had been indisposed for about a fortnight, but only took to his bed on Saturday. The cause of death was a complication of liver and kidney troubles. The friends of Mrs Chamberlain, wife of the collector of customs, were shocked on 29th ult.

to learn that she had died -suddenly at an aarly hour in the morning, for though the deceased lady had suffered from ill-health forborne time she had repeatedly rallied, and her condition had never been regarded as critical, and she was in good spirits, entertaining some friends, on Monday evening. She was a member of the Whitefoord family, which was well known throughout the colony. She will be much missed iv All Saints' pariah, where she did » great deal of work of a philanthropic character.

As it is the intention of the Government (says the New Zealand Time*) to plant the present site of the grave of the great Maori chief Raupsraha, who lies buried at! -Plim.merton, with trees and turn its present position into a pleasure reserve, the Maoriß have been ordered to remove the remains to Waikanae. The present site is rendered interesting from the faot that it is immediately over the place where Rauparaha was arrested by Sir George Grey in the early days. Old residents will remember that the fighting men of Rauparaha's tribo were absent on a hunting expedition, and Sir George Grey, landing from his vessel, which anchored inside Mana Inland, found the chief alone, and carried him off. There was no silting of the Land Board on the 30th ult , the board having, according to its custom, adjourned orer the Christmas and New Year holidays.

A four-roomed house, scullery, and washhouse, together wibh contents, were d; stroyed by fire -at Green Itl&nd at 1 o'clock on the 30th ulfc. The property belonged to Mr' Jamas M'Cuughan. Whether it wat insured or not is uaknown at present.

The young lady operators at the Wellington Telephone Exchange have been the recipients of Christmas boxes from some of the busiest "numbers" on the exchange. Tho pi-fluents inounied fri-e paßsas to Pictoa from the Union Steam Ship Uompmy, Migar, tea, lollies, cash, wine, lemonade, and ginger ale. Accompanying each present was a Christmas card.

The Hon. J. D. Ormond's Wallingford Homes'end, wh oh was burned down last week, was insured in the Victoria office for £1000, of which £250 was reinsured ia the New Zealand.

Messrs B&llShde and Sans, of Noumea, are, it i( said, in negotiation for a tteam service between tho Frenoh colonies of Tahiti and New Caledonia and San ifranc'soo. Advices dated Bordeaux, 21st October, received ab Tahiti, state that the line is likely to be favourably treated by 'he Horns Government, aud in any citse coma into opsrvuion iv 1897. This will connect with the' Union Company's service at the Cook Islands.

Two youu<{ meu had a &*ns&tioual adventure with a shatk in Hobson's Bay a few days ago (says the Argus) . They put off in a 10ft skiff at half-past 4 o'clock from the Middlepark coast to Sib tor fUthrsKds. and wheu they were about half a rails from the shore tfrretr out thth liofs r»'.u! allowed the boat to drift. They soon tV.lt. t B'ivore shock and something bumping under the boat. Oj looking over the aide they saw a Bhark, which .evidently had hold of the boat underneath with its teeth, rocking it > backwards and forwards. They struck tit the • monster with^ an oar ai.d ib went off, but came back immediately ■ audc-.teized the bow of the boat with it* tee.h, and iho.ok it, vigorously. - .The youcg msu beat the' shark with the oars, but it rotaiusd its hold. Eviintu- ' *dly ib let go, and the occupants turned the boat towards the shore. Affcux about a minute the gliifrk came at tbe boat again for a third' attack. The young nun splashed the water as much as they could with their oar*, and this appeare\ tj have m?reeffeat than actual blows, as the shark noon dis»pp tared. After getting ashore and drawing thft bj*b out of the water, it was noticed tkifr tho . marks of the shark's teoth were plunly viable ou the bottom. As near as the occupant* of the boat could judge, the shark was about 12ft or 14ft long.

Tbe Wakari Sohool Committee have voted for Mr P. B. Frswer for the vacancy on the Education Board, and the \V? lie's Crossing Commttee for Mr J. WMte.

A correspondent writes to the Waimate Times :—": — " The old-standing grievance of wet shtcp at Oznaram* cropped up again in a rather acute, though amusing foim. The men started as usiul in th-3 morning, when after gome four or fly« thepp per man had bjon shorn tho boll rang. As Iho men shore and turned out their sheep tbcyc-.aje up and asked, ' What's up ?' and wero told b/ tho manager that the wool was dsmp Tbe men were not quite satisfied, but ths shwp were turned out in a bright sun and a fine breeze. Ab 9.30 a, few sheep were brought into the shed, and each man asked to shear two aheap, when the wool was adjudged to bs too d.\mp. The shearer* then acknowledged that thsy wen; we!;, »od one-half of them vowel that they would 'be Wowed ' — the other half th-tfc they would 'be jiggered' — if ever they would be competent to express an opinion, much leiK swear as to the fact that sheep were wet or dry, all admitting that that morning's perform nice took the couceit out of them."

At tho breaking up of the Ashley Downs School, Waiwera, Miss Wilkinson, the teacher, was the recipient of o. handsome gold brooch, subscribed for by the" children. Master A.' M'K-juzie made the presentation in a few appropriate remarks, and Miss Wilkinson suitably and fealingly replied. Misi Wilkinson is severing her connection, with the Ashley Downs School, having received an appointment to the teaching staff of the Forbury School. -

Tuere was a nuroir escape from a serious if not fatal accident at the Owaka sports,' which should prove a warning to others at sport* which aro heW all over the oounfcry afe this $ea*on. As James Nyhon, from the Peninsula, was throwing the hammer it travelled in a direction nob intended, and fell among a knot of men who wore preparing 1 for a wrestling competition. The hammer struck James M'Donald, of Kelso, on the shoulder, and ho had to be taken to B&lclatha, where, after an examination, Dr J. G. Smith was able to state that no bones were broken, and that the injuries, though painful, were not likely to prove serious. It is evident that if the hammer had struck any of the men about the head fatal consequences would probably have resulted.

A wedding that aroused considerable interest was solemnised at the Synagogue, in Sydney, on the 9th inst., the contracting parties being Miss Rosa Berth* Gotthelf, daughter of Mr Moritz Gotthelf, of Sydney, and Mr Emel Hallenstein, of Danedin. The bride wore a gown of ivory white satin, with long train with a full ruche of white' chiffon round the hem, the bodice having ruched chiffon yoke *nd sleeves and some lovely lace, and a coronet of orange blossoms and eof 6 tulle veil, and she carried an exquisite bouquet of choice white flowers. The bridesmaids (Miss Gotthelf, Miti Enid Gotthelf, and Miss Michaelis) 'wore soft cream muslin over heliotrope silk. the skirts having- rows of cream insertion and lace, large belts, with long ends of heliotrope silk, and pioture hats to correspond, and carried artificially-arranged posies tied with heliotrope. Bach was presented by the bride* grcorn with monogram brooches with pearl chains attached. At a reception after th«

wedding ceremony, Mr Bendix Hallenstein (ancle of the bridegroom) proposed the tatotth of the bride. The presents were numerous and ■ costly, and included several handsome cheque* and some lovely silver. The honeymoon was spent at the Blue Mountains, and Mr and Mra Emit Hallenstein will travel for a couplt of years on the Continent before coming to Dunedin to settle. A resident of Brussels, who sends to the Belgian papers an account of his return on foot from Paris at the conclusion of the Franoo* Russian f 6 tes, draws a melancholy picture of the decadence of village life in the eastern provinces of France. This it evidenced (says the Brussels correspondent of the Daily Chronicle) by the number of dwellings abandoned and falling into tnin, and the poverty-stricken appearance of the habitations of those who draw their meam of livelihood from the soil. Even the better class of th.6 peasant proprietary, he says, live in homes where wooden floors are more often supplanted by the bare ground ; the farmer's chief diet is bread and cheese, and his drink I ■water hardly tinged with wine Twenty years j ago the wolf had disappeared from the east of i France ; to-day large numbers are seen in outlying districts. The writer ascribes all these ills to the "corse of militarism," the enforced result of the present armed peace which weighs upon Europe. The celebration of New Year's Eve in Moray place wan marked for « time by very disorderly proceedioga. Shortly aiter 10 o'elookc on Thursday night Constable Cowan had occasion to arrest a young man named Gullen for drunkenness in that street-. The prisoner, according to the statements by the police, resisted violently, using both his f eeb and his teeth to enforce the arguments which he urged against being locked up at that season of the year, and eventually it was found uocessary not only to handcuff him, but also to tic his feet, and that having been dons he was carried by two constables to the polios station. The disturbance brought together a crowd of about a hundred persons, who followed the police and their prisoner, and pressed round them in a way that gre\tly hampered the officers. One person, more reckless than the reit, seized Constable Cowan by the cape of his coat aad by his neck to pall him away from Gulten, but on some civilians coming to the assistance of the police he made off. This man, whose name was Rob n't Mahone, was subsequently arrested for drunkenness in George street. The mob continued to follow Gallon towards the watchbouse and to incite him to resist the police, and when the disturbance was at its height in the mean little thoroughfare known as Gaol street the watchhouse keeper, vho had gone out to meet the procession and lend a hand to the constables, pounced on a youth named Charles Wakefield, who was foremost in enconra'ging Gullen. Tho three persons who were arreetsd were brought before the justices at ths Police Court on Friday morning, and were dealt with according to the nature of thiir clYencss. The weather on Friday was all that could be desired, and any number of steam vessels could have been profitably employed iv excursions between and the lower hatb<>ur. - The Invercargill, On slow, and Goldfinch were all crowded with passengers, and many persons went a« ay disappointed at not, being able to avail themselves of the truly enjoyable trips offered by these favourite boats. : The advent of the year of grace 1597 was welcomed at Fort Chalmers by a brilliant display of fireworks both from the ships and the shore, and the ringing of bells, with other - festive demonstrations. The greatest order prevailed, and everything p&sjed off in a roost agreeable manner. Sergeant Geeriu (the officer in charge of the police) mvje excellent; amusements, but luckily nothiug occurred to render his intervention necessary. The friends of Mr Archibald Morrison heard with much regret the intelligence of his death, which ccsurred with awful saddetmets at his residence on -Thursday afternoon, when he dropped down in an apoplectic so'znre and expired almost immediately. The deceased was well known as having been for many years a partner in the firm of Anderson and Monison, while latterly he carried on bu'iness on his Own account, under the style of A. Morrison and Co. He was elected member for Bell Ward in the City Council a little mota than two years ago, and his death will cause a vacancy in that body. He was an active member of the Caledonian Society, and also a Freemason, being a member of Lodge Celtic under the Scottish Constitution. He was 59 years of age. A good congregabion assembled in St. Paul's Cathedral on New Year's Eve at 11 o'clock on the occasion of a watch-night service being held there. When John Wesley established these " watoh night " services, bis mind was penetrated with ideas derived from his old church life — in faot he restored the custom of keeping the Eve before any great religious festival as a Vigil. The service at St. Paul's commenced with the hymn, " O God our help in agaa put," followed by appropriate devotions, after which .Canon Robinson gave an address, taking as a text Joßbua ii, 4, "Ye have not passed this "way heretofore." The service concluded with prayers and intercessions, and a solemn Te Deum was snog as the Town Hall clock tolled the midnight hour. Mr Taylor presided at the ' organ, and played the concluding movement of an organ sonata of Mendelssohn's in his usual masterly manner. Saturday was almost generally observed as a holiday in Dunedirt, the only thop3 that were opsn being those which cater tor holidaymakers. The Caledonian Society's sports were practically the only attraction that offered in town, and there were not so many water excursions as might have been expected. The Invercargill carried a full complement of passengers to the Kaik, and the trips by the harbour steamers were also well patronised. The total gate money taken during the two days of the Caledonian Society's sports amounted to £438 5s 6d, or £146 13s more than was taken at last year's gathering. The hospital returns for the past week are as follows -.—Remaining from the previous week, 97 ; admitted during tho week, 29 ; discharged, 10; death (George Thomas Clearwater), 1; — total remaining, 105. We have to acknowledge receipt of a postal note for 5s from Waikouaiti for the Tombs fund. The traffic on .the railways on the Dunedin section on Friday and Saturday last was exceptionally heavy. The bookings at the local railway station show that the south express on New Years Day carried 650 passengers from town, and the morning train to Hyde and the afternoon train south each took 150 persons. The traia at 9 a.m. to Palmerston jtiad 450 passengers, and the north express carried over 1000 persons — the largest on record — including a considerable proportion for Waikouaiti. There were- also a large number pf passengers by the trains arriving at Duaedin, and the bookings between Fort Ghalmera and Mosgiel were above the average. On Saturday 950 jtsnons were booked *b Danedin as

passengers by the express, and 150 by the afternoon train south, while 450 took tickets for the north oxpres"3. The troffic inwards was extremely heavy. The train from Clinton in the forenoon carried more pusacrcgers oven than that on the previous day, while the two express trains in the evening were extraordinarily heavy, that from luverc&rgill consisting of what was equal to 22 carriages, and that from Christctiurch bsing equal to 19 carriages.

"I reckon I have got ray sentence on my faoe," said a prisoner with a badly-scarred cheek in the Police Court on Friday when the arresting comtable gave evidenca as to the violence with which tbe occupant of the dock had resisted the police. " Some one of the constables came to me in the oell," the prisoner went on to say, " and hit me, and the hit put me to slesp, and my face was that sore this morning that I could not vra«h it." The suggestion was that the scar on his cheek was produced by a blow received by him jo the cell, but wheu he was asked to point out tho constable who he alleged had thus assaulted him the prisoner was unable to do so, and the story ha told wa3 disproved by the evidence of the watch-house keeper, who stated that when the prisoner was brought into tho station his face was covered with bio- d, this being due to the faot that he had while struggling with the polic3 on the ground had his cheek torn by gravel. Sergeant O'Neill gave the prisoner a bad character, and the Bench, while imposing fcbo usual small penalty on a charge of druukeuuess, fined him 403 or a week's imprisonment for remting the arresting constable. Tha prisoaor sab down with a. beaming face, evidently reckoning thab he had got off lightly.

Tha surplus for the current financial year is estimated in the New ZeaUnd Times' review of tha year 1896 at; "not lesa than £200,000." The improvement in trade is expected to caus« a very substantial iucrease in the inoome tax.

X By tha Reserves and Crown Land Enabling and Disposal Act of last session the reserve at Ship Cove, Marlborough Saund), is declared a reserve, in memory of its occupation by Oaptai n Cook, and is to be retained in it* natural state.

Tho officers and crew of Huddart, Parker, and Co.'s stoarmr Miowara have bean awarded £5250 for assistance rendered to the disabled

steamer Strafchaevis a few months ago.

The Oamurn Mail etate3 that the Hon. J. M'Kenzieand MrDuncaa, M.H.R., have visited the Ardgowau and Alaerowhanua estates, purchased under tho Laod for Settlements Act, and are greatly pleased with the progress made by the settlers.

At the annual gathering of the Southland Piouejr Settlers' Association Mr M'Korchar, in the course of a brief speech, gave an interestiDg and auiusiug description of his arrival, with his mother and two sister*, at Riverton ia 1858. They look five weeks to go down from Duneiiiu in the clipper schooner Star, and when they reaohed Rivertr.u received a great welcome from the Maoris— about 300 in number then— living thore, the family being the first to settle thsre, coming direct from Home.

At a vneetiug of the shareholders of the Bruce Woollen Company, we learn from the Herald that the directors reported that 13,800 shares had been dofiuilely taken up. Thi machinery, buildings, ground, &c, were estimated to cost £11,000. The right to purchase 3£ acres of land near the railway station with an ample supply of water had been secured. The chairman io reply to questions said they would have about £3000 left to work the company. They did not expeob to start iv less than six months. Mr King (Messrs Biug, Harris, and Co.) and Mr J. Allen, M.H.R., urged that they should have -more oapital, and an additional 1210 shares were promised in the room. M«s;rs W. Moore, J. A. Duthie, J. Allen, M.H.R., J. Gray, M. Henderson, and J. B. Soanlan we're elected directors, and Messrs T. S. Graham and H. M. Marryatt s.nditors.

Just prior to th^ Christmas " holiday* <\n attempt was made to burglarise the Daneyirke branch of the Bank of New Zealand. The intentions of Ahe burglar, however, teem to have been suspected, for when he effectad an nutrance to the building by raaau* of one of the windows he found the lootl constable, the nightwatchman, and the officer iv charge of the bank (Mr J. Page) waiting hit arrival, and he was promptly marched off to the police station. He was brought before the bench next day and remanded till the 30i,h insfc.

An eff jrt is being made to capture the-sbatk which attacked and killed Mr Bright Cooper ot Napier on Sunday week. The other afternoon a line, with a bsef-ba'ted hook, was stretched from a buoy about 70 .yards from the shore to another absut 159 yards further out, and fattened to a shore anchor. Only one pfaark-hook was at first obtainable, but three others have now bsen obtained, and will be fixed and baited at the earliest opportunity. Messrs Niven (of the Spit Foundry), Eagleton, Finalaon, Franklin, and Robsoa undertook tho work, and have so far ocrriad it out vigorously. The breakwater boat has been used, and will be.leftonthe beach in the meantime in case of emergency. Tbe baited Jine is almost immediately over the spou where Mr Cooper was killed.

Bishop Nevill leaves this week to attend the Lambeth Conference. He will be accompanied by Mrs Nevill.

The development of the Kaitangata coalfields hJB been a marked feature in the progress of the South Island. The quality of the coal is such that the demand is an ever-increasing one. At will be seen from our advertising columns, the Castle Hill Coal Company (Limited) are going to open up the lower seams of their mine, as it has been found that the deep seams contain the best coal. In order to do this it is necessary to suspend the> ordinary operations. It would be a great advantage to the district as well as to the company if bituminous coal were found in the deeper measures, and we are informed this is not deemed unlikely.

On Friday and Saturday the Choral Hall was well fillsd thrice daily by conference meetings of Christians. Space will not permit even a bars outline of the individual addressee, but the general scope of them was- as follows :—: — The suffering* of Christ wero minutely foretold in the Old Testament. The Cross was the central point of God's dealinga with men: there the world brought out its own condemnation ; and there the Son of God effected a redemption for " Whosoever will." True beliaver*, although scattered throughout the sects ana systems of men, are one in Christ. In view of eternal things, the believers ought to be conscientiously hone3t and honourable in every detail of life here below. On Sunday the meetings were held in the City Hall, the evening meeting being for the preaching of the Gospel.

An old friend of the late president of the Royal Academy tends the Daily Ohroniole the following anecdote, which has not, he believes, appeared before in print. It was one that Millaia himself was occasionally induced to reoeat, and the correspondent £ives it in the

late president's own words : — I found my<self seated ona evening at a rather grand dinner next to a very pretty, gushing girl fcj whom I had not baen introduced. She fired into conversation directly she had finished her soup, and, as it was May, began with the inevitable question, "I suppose you've been to the academy ? " I replied that I had. " And did you notice the Millaia' ? Didn't you think they were awful daubs ? I can't imagine how snob. things ever get hung ! " She was going on gaily in the same strain, while I sat silent, when suddenly the amused smiles of those around her and the significant hush brought her to a sudden stop. She coloured rather painfully and whispered to me ia a frightened voice, "For hfaven's snke, what have I done! Have I said anything dreadful P Do tell me " " Not now," I replied, " eat yoar dinner in peace, and I'll tell you by-and-bye." She did so rather miserably, vainly trying to extrao!; from me at intervals what the matter wa», and when dessert came I filled up her gl*«s with champagne and told her to gulp it down very quickly when I counted three. She obeyed without protest, and I took the opportunity wh°.n she couldn't speak to say, "Well, I am Millais. But lefs be friends."

A correspondent writes complaining that at Hampden on New Year's Eve a band of larrikins, half drunk, paraded the township, .visiting the tnuce* of the visitors (at least those who had no men in the house), buttering at the doois, trying the windows, and demanding whisky.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs :—: — "MrW. M. Hannay, formerly Railway Commissioner, aud at present secretary to the Manawatu Railway Company, has been appointed manager of the latter company in place of Mr Fulton, resignod."

Our Ophir correspondent telegraphs :—: — " Df7, windy weather still continues, and it is only where the land is irrigated that the crops will be fit to cut."

Telegraphing from W<sst Orange, New Jersey, a Daily . Telegraph correspondent says th-ib while Mr Ediaou is indignant that it should have been suggested he could restore the sight of tho bliod by tbe Routgea rays, ha believes their application might, in certain caset, rntke an impression. Meanwhile Mr Caarks Rouss, one of the richest men in New York, aud who is totally blind, has, it is ntated, made a public offer to pay Edison 1,000,000d0l if he could restore his Bight. Mr Rouss also extends his offer to any scientist in England.

Wo have received £1 from G. K. for the Tombs fund.

At « meeting of the Albany atieeb School Committee on Monday night a deputation wos appointed to w*ifc upon Mr J*mea Allen, M.H.R., to urgo him to become a candidate at tha forthcoming elections for the Education Board.

The offioial returns are now available wifch regard so the voting in New South Wales on the subject of Methodist Union by the Wesleyan adherent*, as well as the trustee and quarterly I meetings. The former gave a majority of about 3 to 1 ia favour of union. A few circuit offioials ! have bsen very dilatory in sending in their I returns, aud these could not be counted ; I otherwise the list ia practioally completed. The i returns give the following totals : — Adherents' ; vote, for union 10,581, against 3556 ; trustees' vote, meetings held 277/ votes for union 1&3, j igaiust 102, ties 32, persons present 1441, votes \ for 822, againtt 585 ; quarterly meetings, meetI ings held 95, for 69, against 20, ties 6, persons | present 920, for 567 : against 314, neutral 39.

The c».se of Blr John Jackson, an Auckland commercial traveller, who has baen lying insensible ia the Thames Hospital for over a week, in attracting considerable attention. On Christmas Kve, while leaving for Auckland, Mr Jackson's leg was broken through a barrel of cement falling on him from a cart. He fell, bub his head was not injured He was quite cheerful for some 12 hour* after the accident, but then became unconscious, and has remained so ever %ince. The medical theory is that this extraordinary state of affairs has been brought about by the rare complication known as an embolism. It is suggested that some of the mirrow of the broken leg has got into the vein system, and in the course of the circulation has been carried to the brain, where it has settled and caused insensibility. Dr Knight, of Auckland, has gone to the Thames expressly to assist Dr Williams, the hospital surgeon, in attendance upon the patient. Dr Williams states that he has only known of two similar oases, and these were in England. Treatment seems to be considered of little avail in the matter, and the watchers can only wait on in the hope 'that nature will asserb irself and bring about the removal of the obstruction that is the oause of the immediate danger.

The Argentine Republic is about to introduce a series of laws whioh spare neither youth nor age, and which are meant to populate the land to overflowing, unless they sucaeed in turning it into a deathly wilderness. Cause 1 runs as follows : — " On and after the Ist of January, -1897, every male from the age of 20 to 80 shall pay a tsx till he marries, and shall pay it once in every month." Imagine this. For golden youth and silver age no escape and no statute of limitation. The baoheJor-boy, the, celibate weighty in year*, the widower rejoicing in his release, will all bs hurried to a common doom. And in Argentina no woman — no, nor man either — may be fickle, coy, or hard to please. Let us hear Clause 2: "Young colibates of either sex who shal' without legitimate motive rejecb the addresses of him or her [ladies propose in Argentina] who may aspire to her or his hand, and who continue contumaciously unmarried, shall pay the sum of 500 piastres for the benefit of the young person, man or woman, who has been ao refused." Argentina, as M. Francipqae Sarcey points out, will be the Utopia of the ugly. However hard the road may b8 to others, the plain man shall not err if he walks therein. " Madam, or Sir, I desire the honour of your hand. What ! You refuse mo because of my facial defects ? Then 500 piastres, if yon please."