WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10212, 18 January 1895, Page 2

WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN.

» LOSS OF CHINESE AT SHINGKING. By Electric Telegraph — United Press Association Copyright — Received 18J1J95 — 12.50 p.m. Shanghai, January 17. — It is now reported that the Chinese lost 2000 in the fight at Shing-King, including many officers of high rank. Captain Edwin wired at 1.15 p.m.: — Strong north-west to west and south winds, and glass rise. Mr G. Colson, of Fitzroy, has forwarded to this office a branch of an apple tree which is literally covered in fruit. Messrs D. Berry & Co., having decided to start a branch of their ironmongery business at Inglewood, have purchased a block with 64 feet frontage adjoining the Inglewood Hotel, where they intend erecting at once a large building. A Sydney revivalist preacher recently stopped in the middle of his sermon to remark :—": — " I wish to inform you that there are pickpockets present. I don't in the least object to their being present. I hope what they do hear may do them good. Only, I may as well toll them that tho pye of Providence is upon them, and that there are policemen in the gallery." The latest contributor to the animal story series, tells about a pony. " Horsas," he says, " know a great deal, but for downright artfulness there is nothing to equal a pony. I have a pony who goes where he like,, does as he likes, and reduces everybody round him to a state of absolute submission to his will.. In any stable where he may find himself he is absolute master, and in certain hotel stables he as known as ' Tho Terror.' He has his own particular fancy in the way of stalls, and if he finds his favorite one occupied, he will, directly he is left, slip his head collar and turn the intruder deliberately out. He has a strong objection to waiting in the street. If I stop at a house or a shop more than two minutes he will rear up on his hind legs, and walk ab»ut in that position with tho trap behind him, to the terror of the boy in charge and the astonishment of the spectators. On several occasions when ho has done this I have seen him from a window, and there was nothing for it but to turn out and get away at once. Now ho does it systematically, and I know that if I keep him waiting too long there is the inovitablo circus performance going on outside. His father s name was Disturbance. He is constantly imitating his father. I havo other anecdotes of animals by me, but in the absence of a commissioner of affidavits I hositato to toll them." \ A collection of valuable violins, violas, bows, and antiquo instruments were offered for sale at Messrs Puttick and Simpson's rooms, Leicestor square, whon aome high prices wore realised. Among the instruments were examples of the works of Antoninus Stradivarius, Amati, Otto, Carlo, Bergonzi, and J. Guarnerius. The highest price wan paid for a violin by Antoninus Stradivarius, dated 1701, this being one of the few existing specimens measuring 144 inches. After a spirited bidding it was knocked down at £(>OO. Another " Stradivarius," dated 169'J, fetched £2GO. A violin by Carlo Bergonzi, a capital specim of this maker's work, was sold for £200. An instrument by Joseph Guarnerius, in inlaid satinwood case, with travelling cov^r and silver mounted bow, fetched £95. An "Amati" reputed to have heon made for the Court of Francis, with paintings on the back side, and scroll, was knocked down for £1,0.'5. A violin by Dominions M»ntagnan, sold for £.00 ; one by Antonius and Hieronymus Amati, dated IG3B, for £80; and one by Lupot, dated 180G, for £55. A violoncello by David Tsechler obtained £41 ; one by William Forstor, £30 ; and one by Benjamin Banks, £27. A viola by Carlo Bergonzi, was sold for £55 10s. Tho total realised by tho sale was £2510 1 Is. [ At n periodical sale of old pontago stainp.s by auction in London la«fc week, a Baden first issue brought £l(J0, which is Raid to ho the highest prico on record for a single stamp sold by auction ; an India, four annas, a strip ol four, £25 ; Labuuii, £14 14s ; Tollico Plains, £2(i ; British Guiana, IHSI, a row of four, £.'iO ; Western Auttmlifi, 2<l, pale violet, £13 ; Great Britain, HXs, £20 ; Gre.it Britain, 20s, Sjp ; .Tusnany, £27 ; Ceylon, £H!; Mauritius, 2(1, ;i pair, £42 ; Now Zealand, l'l, on blue paper, a pair, used, £5 10s ; ditto, half of Is, gieoii on blue, used as Cd, £15 15.s ; ditto, Id. vermilion Peluso paper perforated, £'.» ; Queensland, Id, rose (imporfuut) pair, unused, £13 13s : Western Australia, 2d, violet (error of color), £18 ; and many more at similar prices.