ARRIVAL OF ENGLISH MAIL "VIA 'FRISCO.

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

ARRIVAL OF ENGLISH MAIL "VIA 'FRISCO.

The Royal Mail Steamer Mariposa arrived at Auckland, from 'Frisco, on Wednesday evening, at 5.30 o'clock, and brings the following passengers for New Zealand :—: — Mr and Mrs Dean, Mr and Mrs Greener and two children, Mr and Mrs Nutton and child. Madame Moral, Messrs Ellison, Long, Lindsay, Jaff, Kin, and Chaise, 25 Bteerage. At about 8 o'clock on December 14, a steerage passenger named Michael Kennedy jumped overboard from the after deck. Though Ahe night was dark a boat was lowered, but the search was unsuccessful. His papers showed him to be an Irishman, believed to bo single. Ho had lived in America as salesman in a dry goods store, and was apparently going to some relatives in Australia.

I ; j There was on view in Messrs Solo Bros window to-day a very fine specimen of the cabbage tribo, grown by Mr A. Goldwater. The variety is known as the | " world beater," and the particular cabbage under notice weighed after dressing eighteen pounds. The following prizes were awarded in connection with the Gymnasium Club, Drs. Leatham and Ifutchinson being the judges : — Physique, G. Parker ; muscular development, E. Beane, first ; and J Abbott second. C. W. Hendrey, winner of last year s medal, stood out of this competition. In boys class G. Butter-, worth was first for physique, and D. Baker-Gabb second ; and B. George first, and D. Baker-Gabb second for muscular development. A silyer medal was given to the winner of the first prize in oach case. Dr. Leatham donated £1 Is towardsthe purchase of the medals. Among reverses of fortune perhaps the atrango3t (says the (jflnbr) is that of tho Duchess de Santonna, who has just died in Madrid in the greatest poverty. Eight years ago she possessed a fortune of four millions. A number of law suits were commenced against her by her relatives, absorbing a largo part of this. Another large amount wont in charity, and tho remainder went in trying to placo tho Bourbon family on the throne. At one time tho people of Madrid were never tired of singing the duchess's praises. In 18(>5, when tho cholera broko out, she gave enormous sums in relief to the poor, allowed the greatest courage in "visiting the destitute sick, and was decorated for this with a high order. The following year she founded tho Jesus Hospital in Madrid. A story is told of the duchess which illustrates her kindness of heart. Ptearing that a lady, a member oE a very old Spanish family, was in great want, and wished to sell jewellery to the amount of £40,000, tho Duchess de Santonna sent her a cheque for that amount. When the jewellery reachod her she returned it^ saying bhe did not war^t it and was glad to be of some service. Now Shojifts died in want and suffering, forgotten and neglected by fchoao she beggared herself to help. According to Dalziel's Agency, a singular social experiment in about to bo' made in France. The arrangements are now being completed for tho formation of si curious colony next spring, tho pro^ grobH of which will bo watched with interest. The leader of tho movement ig tho paper Gravolle, and tho idea that by 1 , rotur,ning to the early and natural statd of man human beings can live ulifeo^ easo and pleasure without work, and en-> tirely independent of the trammels of civilisation. Somo land has been procured in Auvorgno, consisting mostly o^ chestnut forests well supplied with watei; and furnished with commodious caves.' Hero five mon and ii Hko number of women will take up their habitation in a few months' time, living together in a natural stato and clothing then.solvea with tho skins of beasts. Bread they will not make, for they consider it unnecessary, and its place will be taken by chestnuts. Water in to be their beverage, though they have no objection to cider and wine. They have boon unablo to renounce tobacco. A doctor they do not expect to require, and they will live either in huts or eaves, according to tho Benson of tho yC.ir. Tho land to bo allotted them measures eight hectares, and they compute that one hectare of land ] inhabited by game, will yield 1000 kilos j of moat yearly. Before taking possession thoy aro going to well stock tho plantation with rabbits, pigs, cows, goata, and fowls, which will all livo in a wild state, and will bo pi evented from escaping in(o moro civilised quartern by an itnpeneI trablo fence.