CHIT-CHAT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10199, 3 January 1895, Page 2

CHIT-CHAT.

• • UP TO DATE. The sky is still overcast and there are occasional showers ; but there are indications of the weather clearing up. Thermometer at Gilmours' corner in the shade at 2 p.m. 70 degrees ; in the sun in front of this office, 92. Our portion of tho English mail, via Frisco, arrived to-day. Dr Hutchinson lectures to men only tonight in the Alexandra Hall. Heavy floods in the district have washed away portion of the railway line beyond Bridgewater. Four feet of water is , jn the settl ers' houses at Foxhill, and a large quantity of stock has been drowned. Forged school bonds to the amount of £200,000 have been sent from America to London and negotiated there. One of tha partners in an American bank, said to be implicated, has absconded. Mr James Coates, Gonoral Manager of the National Bank, is in Auckland, and takes a very hopeful view of the commercial outlook of New Zealand. A number of people in France have decided to go $.nd live in a wild state of nature in a chestnut forest in Auvergne. The Premier will address a public meeting in Napier about the third week in January. The General Lending Board, under the " Advances to Settlers Act," will commence advancing as soon as the casual valuers are appointed. Captain Fairchild, jusi roturned from his periodical cruise round Auckland, Campbell, and Bounty Islands, reports no wreckage. There was only one bankrupt in Wellington during the month of December. A boy who was a deaf-mute, was one of the prizetakers in Australia in a hand writing competition. A co nmittee of Victorian Parliament are considering whether they cannot do without the services of the Government Astronomer, Botanist, and Statist. Czars amnesty lightens and commutes tho sentences of twenty thousand prisoners. Many of those released had to face starvation, and therefore committed out rages. They were then condemned to serve unoxpired time. Newfoundland people are petitioning ! Imperial Government to appoint a Royal [ Commission to inquire into affairs of colony. Late Sir J. S. D. Thompson, Premier of Canada, was buriod at Halifax on j New Year Day. Most impressive scene. | An old settler named Martin F. Coffey died at Hawera on Wednesday evening. It is stated the Government intends buying the Manawatu Railway ; and doucments are being prepared to carry cut that object. Business portion of town of Blenheim under water since Tuesday. Snow has fallen in England and Scotland, and skating is ■ being enjoyed at Windsor. Trains were snowed up in Yorkshire. Eight persons burned to death owing to City laundry in London catching fire. Mr Henry Medland, formerly of New Plymouth, is on a visit here. Russia has made over to England tho only practicable route in Pamirs. Russian Minister of Railways has been dismissed on ground of corruption. Financial crisis in Newfoundland is increasing, and business is paralysed by absence of monoy