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Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1773, 8 September 1874, Page 2

We learn lhat a meeting of the Shortland residents was held last night to,consider the ((legibility of tho different candidates for the Borough Council. It was; unanimously decided, we are informed, to support the candidature of Mr. Mncnab, and to giro what Totei might be broken to Messrs Win, Bows and A. Anthony.

A XiAVGB bakehouse at Turvey, Bedfordshire, was some years ago infested with crickets. As hot weather came the nuisunco became more serious, for crickets were to be found in every possible crevice. The bakor was advised to lay some rhubarb leaves about the place. The light the next morning revealed nibbled leaves, and myriads of dead crickets; and tbis was the last of them in that bakehouse.—Gardes. •

A Cotjkt of Inquiry was held last evening at the Naval Drill Shed in accordance with a request from the Government that it should be ascertained why and how the timbers of the gun carriages, now in charge of the Thames Naval Brigade, have become so decayed. The result of the inquiry ha* sot transpired. The decision of the Court will, no doubt, have to be confirmed or negatived by higher military authorities.

A faded specimen of blue-blood was wandering about Grahamstown last night and addressing the air, or something else, in language of groat extravagance; talking familiarly of days at Oxford and Cambridge, and wagering in the issue of imaginary boat races, much apparently to his own satisfaction and the wonderment of passers by. When asked what was his peculiar trouble, he murmured, '"Tis but a faded peach blossom."

'I'he skeleton of a man was brought down from Wiseman's Gully yesterday. It had been found in the bush by some children, the father of whom reported the matter to the police. There was a large whole in the side of the skull, and some portion of tho remains had been charred, which is accounted for; by the fact that some destructive fires have swept over the neighborhood. We understand that an opinion has been expressed that the deceased must have come to his death by violence. '>■ ■

Tub Southern [Cross, commenting on the telegram case, says:—lt is a pity that Mr. Mackay should have, in the concluding part of his letter, dragged in the question of dispute between himself and a Thames journal on the subject of land purchase. With this natter the conduct of Mr. Wilson had no concern whatever, and. Mr. Mackay, having sometime since declared his readiness and intention to appeal to the Courts of the colony for redress, should have left the subject out of his communication as being neither relevant to the issue nor in keeping with his promise of legal proceedings. However, that does not concern Mr. T. B. Wilson, whe has chosen to hold himself up as a warning examplo in connection with our social code and the laws of honorable intercourse between man and man.

A cobbespohdbnt of the " Otago Daily Times" calls attention to the excessive rates charged for postage from New Zealand to India. He says —"To the home country, a distance of about. 16,000 miles, the charge for a letter is 6d, and for a newspaper Id. To India, which is not half the distance from New Zealand as the former, perforce we have to pay double the rate. Twelve years ago I recollect only having to yay 6d each letter; and now, I may also say for several yean back, tho charge has' been Is for a letter and 2d for a newspaper. There might be some excuse if India were under a foreign power and Government for the heavy charges mentioned; but, bring, a British possession, and under British Government, I think that it should be allowed the same privileges accorded to other British Colonies, that is, a nominal charge fer the carriage of letters and newspapers." '• ) •.'■>'

The following is clipped from a late Dundee paper:—"Well, Janet, has your husband no come hame yet?" asked Will Morton, of a neighbor's wife. " Deed, no, Will, he's no hame; but I'm sure his lugs michfc ring, for IVe raged over him this twa days, and my certie! that's naething tae what he'll get when he comes hame. I'll " "Stop, stop, Janet," interrupted Will, " Ire come wi' news o' yer husband, an' ye maun bear up while I'm tellia' ye. I thocht mysel' as gude's ony miaister tae break the news o' e bis -" ".Ob, oh, shrieked Janet, clutchin Will by the arm, "what's'came ower my Geordie ? Oh, man, can ye no speak ? have ye nete mercy! Oh, dear, thae railways i where did ye leaye him lyin' ?" " Cain, yoursel' Janet, replied Will, your husband's no lyin' naegate j he is—is "Here! " put in Geordie, who at the preconcerted signal stepped forward, and was instantly clasped in the arms of his weeping wife, while Will delicate ■ ly withdrew, muttering as he went, " I'ro gotten ye aff in the meantime, Geordie, and gained my half-mutchkin i but losh hae mercy on ye when the relapse comes on her! 6