GENERAL NEWS.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11999, 27 July 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

GENERAL NEWS.

Unexpected Windfall. —A Walthamstow undertaker named Roberts has received intimation of an unexpected windfall. Four years ago a man killed his wife and child and commicted suicide. Kather than allow them to be buried as paupers Roberts carried out tbe funeral at his own cost. An old gentleman named Simpson, who heard of Robert's action, has died, and left £5000 in Consols to tha kind-hearted undertaker. Memorable Anniversary. — It is suggested at Blandford that the fiftieth anniversary of the Indian Mutiny should be commemorated locally, in view of the fact that a Blandford man performed one of the bravest acts in the whole of the fighting— namely, the blowing up of the Kashmir Gates. It ia poposed that September 14 would be a fitting date, as that is also the 150 th anniversary of the battle of Plassey, at which'the Dorset Regiment practically won India for tbe Empire. Bridegroom Drunk at Altar. — While waiting in the porch of a Leeds church, the bridegroom of. a wedding party, which had arrived a little too soon, occupied tne time by visits to a neighbouring -public house. As he had already bad more than was good for him, by the t*me the vicar was ready to perform the ceremony he could hardly stand upright. The preliminary responses of the bridegroom were coherent, if feoble; but at the critical question, "Wilt thou have this woman to be thy lawfu wedded wife?" his condition became worse worse, and the vicar dismissed the party, telling them to return when they were in a fit state to realise the solemnity of tie occassion. Daring and Coolness— Giulio Vanuzzi, a wild-beast tamer engaged in a menagerie which was visiting Rome, was attacked by a huge leopurd with whom he was performing. The baast's attack afforded Vannuzzi an opportunity for the display of coolness and courage of a most remarkable kind. Wbile he was in the act of lifting the animal by its forelegs tbe leopard tried to seize the tamer's neck between its teath, and though the attempt was foiled, it succeeded in bitiag Vannuzzi 's elbow, and only disnngaed it after repeated blows. Tbe audience,struck with terror, called upon Vannuzzi to leave the sag 9. He obeyed, but only to have his wound dressea by «\ surgeon, after which he returned to the cage, and went through the performance to the enH. A new building, to be called the Victoria Hull, ia now in process of erection in Sheffield in connection with the forward movement of the Wealeyan Methodist Church to reach and evangelise the masses of tbe people. The cnst cf the new hall will be £40.000. Inebriate Home.— At the No-Li-cense Conference at Wellington, a Committee, consisting of the Hons. R. McNab, George Fowlds, G. J. Smith, Messrs R. S. Grey, C. Laws, Hoby. Aitken. Coughtrey: A. S. Adams, and Key. b\ W. laitt (convenor) ~as SBt up to consider tbe need and advisability of establishing a fir3t-clas3 inebriate home. An item for the Ladies.— On June 6th, at Buckingham Palace, thoir Majesties the King and Queen held a court, which was numerously attended by many notible people. Lady Plunket was there, and she wore an Empire gown of soft white satin embroidered in crystal and silver and delicate pastel shadus ; the coisage was arranged with dainty sleeves of crystal spotted net; the train corresponded with the gown. Naval Heroism.— A thrilling story of heroism waa told at the inquest at Haslar Hospital on William Mathers, engiua - room artificer aboard the destroyer Garry, who was washed over board off the Bristol Channel. A heavy sea was running when Mathers was caried away, but immediately the cry" Mao overbord" was raised Seaman Macdonald leaped over the side to attempt the rescue. Seeing Macdonald in difficulties, Signalman Scrutten followed, fully clothed. Macdonald bad sunk, but Scrutton reached Mathers aud held him up for nearly half an hour until the destroyer's lifeboat reached them. Admiral Sir Day Bosanquet, Com-mander-in-chief at Portsmouth, personally visited the Garry to compliment Scrutton upon bis plucky deed. . The Poverty Bay Herald states that the proceedings at the Native Land Court have resulted in several supposedly dead people coming to light. In going through the succession orders it was found on inquiry that Natives still living were represented as being among those for whom succession orders were desired,