MISCELLANEOUS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 370, 22 May 1889, Page 4

MISCELLANEO US.

The Echuca correspondent; of the Melbourne* Age,' states that Mr Alfred Wyatt, police magistrate, who visits Echua, and who on two occasions has exercised his humour by fining himself for not taking his seat punctually at the time appointed for opening: the Court, on April 9 achieved some further distinction. Mr R. W. Pennefather, barrister, who was appearing in a debt case of Eakins v. Cuffe, asked for costs on a previous adjournment. Mr Wyatt differed from Mr Pennefather on the question, averring that the adjournment had been granted to permit of certain telegrams being produced. Mr Pennefather replied that the case had been adjourned for the production of "a telegram," and that that telegram had been produced. The police magistrate hold, with some warmth, that this was not the case. Mr Pennefather remarked : "lain sorry to see the temper displayed, but the police magistrate has been most provoking in his remarks to me." Mr Wyatt rejoined : "I can most certainly return you the compliment, Mr Pennefather," but almost immediately withdrew the words, asking Mr Pennefather to do likewise. This Mr Pennefather refused to do, and the Court was adjourned for five minutes. On resuming, Mr Wyatb again asked Mr Pennefather to withdraw, but he still refused, whereupon the police magistrate ordered Sergeant James to arrest Mr Pennefather and lock him up for one hour for contempt of Court;. A warrant was made out and Mr Pennefather was locked up accordingly. Mr Pennefather, who is thus referred to, is well known in Auckland, and was formally private secretary to Sir William Jervois. The Pukekohe farmers are not satisfied with the step? taken by the Auckland Grocers' Association in giving effect to the resolution passed at the recent conference held on the subject, of fixing the market prices for butter and eggs, and they have, therefore, established a club for protection of their interests, and have forwarded a resolution to the Secretary of the Grocers' Association urging that they have misunderstood the spirit of the resolution passed — namely, "That three members should be chosen by the grocers aod dairymen of Auckland (not the Association) to meet the members appointed by the farmers, who should form the committee, and respectfully asking them to reconsider their decision." The Wairoa settlers at a recent meeting had the same matter under consideration and passed a resolution approving the action taken by the Pukekohe settlers, and pledging themselves to support any feasible proposition that will have for its object a fairer adjustment of prices between producer and distributor. As soon as it became known that the great baritone Santley intended to visit Australia, lovers of music in Christchurch turned their thoughts towards endeavouring to get him to come to New Zealand. Correspondence was entered into and conterences held between those likely to assist, and matters went so far that a letter was written to catch Santley's agent at Adelaide. A telegram also was sent, and a favourable reply to this is said to have been received. As yet, however, there appears to have been no regular agreement; as to dates and terms, so that negotiations are in somewhat of an embryonic state. Of course there is little probability of Santley coming to New Zealand unless he is assured a large remuneration at each of the centres of population. The number of insane persons in New South Wales under official registration on December 31st, 1888, was 2,898. The number on the register at the close of 1887 was 2,821. The increase during the year, therefore, was 76, made up of 41 males and 35 females. This increase is below the average, which for the five years ending December, 1888, was 99 per annum. The population of the colony on December 31st, 1888, was 1,085,356, and the proportion of insane to population, therefore, was one in 374 or 2*67 per thousand. The ratio of insanity was less among women than men, being one in 433 of the former and one in 337 ot the latter. Although the insane population of the colony is rapidly increasing, and has, indeed, doubled since 1872, there has been no increase during the last 16 years in the proportion of insane persons to the general population. From 1872 to 1881 there was a slight increase, but since that time the proportion has fallen and is now exactly what it was in the years 1871 and 1872. A contributor to the " Australasian," who has been making a trip to New Zealand, sends an article in which the following passages occur :— " On getting clear of bricks, stones, and carved wood, the whole grandeur of the country becomes apparent — the immense, almost inexhaustible/ productive power of this beautiful land surpasses all imagination — the romantic scenery from the densely-covered hills intersected with vast plains of land, the marvellous richness of which is beyond description. These shaggy hills, these fertile vales, seem only to want development, and are waiting only for labour and capital to make this a country of unexampled wealth and greatness. Look which way you will, and the surrounding country seems to say, 4 Come, love, come.' Ie calls to the struggling, half-starving British farmer to leave while there is yet time and some of his capital is left — ' To come where Nature's gifts shall smile, To greet him in this glorious Isle.' One connot help wondering how a land possessed of such natural magnificence should be lagging in the race for prosperity. Evidently something is wrong ; but it is not my intention to go into politics, so I will leave this part of the subject to those better able to unravel the mystery. I paid the towns were very English in style, but the country is even more so, and Nature appears to have formed this land especially for the inhabitants of that little island the name of which makes the heart of an Englishman beat with pride." Mr J. K. Newton, who took several thoroughbreds from Sydney to America some months ago. has four of the number quaitered at Sacramento and will race them. They are said to be real flyers and are accredited with having repeated halfmiles in 49sec. The Robinson Crusoe colb has been unlucky, having been severely attacked with rheumatism, and will nob be worked until the fall. Turf writers in the Eastern States are said to be fairly raving over Sir Modred's youngsters. Another American item of news is that a, Mr Trestrail, of Ballarat, recently disposed of a shipment of Clydesdales at an averagefoi £225 a head. * Mrs. Society— Have you invited all of your and your husband's gentlemen friends Mrs. De Fashion— All of mine, but none of my husband's. If I should invite his he would miss them at the club and feel lonely, poor dear. Willie was to take a disagreeable medicine one day ; and, as he watched his mother pouring, it out a bright idea came to him. "Mamma," he cried, "can't I shut my throat and not taste it, jusb as I shub my eyes and donft see ?" , " Now, my dear," said bhe teacher, " what is memory V The little one answered, after a moment's reflection, »• Ib is thethine" you forget with."