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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6900, 12 February 1894, Page 4

Snow fell in London on January Gth to a depth of several inches. Nothing like such a period of snow and cold at the beginning of the new year had been experienced in the English metropolis since 1831. There was a large quantity of snow in the streets at Shorncliffe on the night of the sth, and the mercury fell to zero. In Ireland there was a renewal of the storms, and railway traffic was much impeded. The cross Channel service between Dublin and Holyhead was delayed by the severity of the weather. In England there had been house boiler explosions, attended with several fatalities due to the iDtense cold. Air Petrie, M.L.A., of Brisbane has filed * petition ia liquidation. His liabilities are *24,0Q0. *

Many stories have been written about mirages and delusions (says an exchange), but none have been more interesting and curious than that of the Silent City mirage, which makes its appearance near the Pacific glacier near Alaska. The discovery of this wonderful mirage was made by the Indians, who would tell of teh city which was built in the cloud3. The mirage can be seen in the early part of June from sto 6 p.m. It rises from the side of the Pacific glacier. It firßt appears like a heavy mist, and soon beoomes clearer, and one can distinctly see j the spectre city, well-defined streets, and trees, tall spires, huge and odd-shaped | buildings, which appear to be ancient mosques or cathedrals. It is a city which would seem to contain at least 25,000 or 30,000 inhabitants. As yet no one has been I able to identify it, although several have claimed to recognise the place. There is no city like it in Alaska, nor in any country about it for thousands of miles. Some claim it is a city in Russia, others say it is a city in England, but none can tell where it is. The mirage was given the name of the " Silent City," as it appears to be one like a dead city ; there is nothing that would indicate it is inhabited. The London Agricultural Gazette of January Ist takes a gloomy view of the crop prospects in Russia for 1894, .owing to extraordinary mildness of the winter and the absence of snow which promises badly. A specialist, Ivanov StonenkofF, predicts widespread famine. ProVably the largest ploughing match that ever took place in England came off lately at Witham, in Essex. It was in connection with the Essex County Council Technical Instruction Scheme. The competitors, about eighty in number, were labourers and lads who had attended courses of instructions in various parishes given by expert and practical teachers. Forty acres of land were turned over in a few hours, and the work was judged to be of a most satisfactory chartcter. Prizes were given.