Josephine and Martinique.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 9

Josephine and Martinique.

TO TDK ED ITCH.

Sir. Whilst alive Napoleon's wife Josephine saw that her own people, the good folk of St. Pierre, Martinique, had on her birthdays "joy and gladness, a feast, and a good day" all the days of her power nnd glory. The Imperial Creole was always solicitous for the welfare of her kindred. Just before her mother's confinement, the mansion she was living in was burnt down, and so little Josephine was born in a miserable adjacent shanty of rough, un; hewn stone, thatched withieaves of palm trees and wild plantain. Tfiis hut was in one of the murderous- rregro quarters, erected for the accommodation of the family slaves. Her mother's name was Madame de -its, Pagerie, and sh,e was compelled to seek shelter in the out^ building mentioned above. — I am, etc., Mabtiniqtje.

The expression "British to the backbone," so often used in connection with Bovril, has additional force now that the company have been appointed purveyors of Bovril to his Majesty the King. The recognition of the high value of this British production will be appreciated in the colonies, from which its supplies are largely obtained, as well as by the British shareholders who own the company.

William Bishop, who lost hia life on the Champion dredge, was (says the TuapekaTimes) insured in an accident assurance society, but allowed his policy to lapse a few weeks ago.