News in a Nutshell.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 7, 30 October 1880, Page 51

News in a Nutshell.

The bore for Petroleum at Pakeka o Whirikoko. Poverty Bay, is down 66 feet and showing well. " Does your mother-in-law know your route ?" Was the question asked of a newly married nianonfas way to Melbourne Exhibition.

Professor Swallow's concert will be THE musical event of the season. Great pains are to be taken to make it thoroughly first class.

According to Cardinal Manning, "mixed marriages " would seem to be almost as bad in their way as mixed drinks ; .and, nioreovef; not so easily recovered from.

Brandauer s circular-pointed pens are without exception the best for business purposes I have yet come across. The " Eeview "is a specially good one and well adapted for rapid writing.

* n advertisement appeared in the "Star" last week for two hands "to the dressmaking." The paragraph further stated that applicants were to apply for a week. Can't exactly understand it.

It is seriously reported that the City Council intends to apply to the Harbour Board for a lease of the graving dock for public swimming baths. It certainly would bo satisfactory if they could be utilised.

It is sakl that the Harbour Board will shortly propose to reclaim an additional 100 feet of Freeman's Bay. I would not he supprised to hear that they intend to roof in the Queen-street Wharf or something of that kind. There seems to be no limit to their enterprise.

There is a "fizzle at Taiuanga about the closing of the Custom House and the removal of tlie popular collector Mr. Dugald McKellar. Of course it will end in nothing, "fizzles" always do at Tauranga. There is an article in the " Buster," a little talk, possibly even a public meeting, and then the matter drops. No one has any energy.

It was funny to hear the parsons at the Synod the other day protesting against vestries raising' money for Sunday Schools lest their own salaries should be jeopardised. One old fellow murmured, in horrified tones, "We shall be expected to raise money for the Ladies' Benevolent Society next,"— And why not? one feels inclined to ask.

The "Spectator" is severe on Mr. John Berwick Harwood's novel, " The Tenth Earl." It says : — "The work of the reviewer in connection with the book may be said to be done in three cuts. First, cut it open (since publishers never will save us the labour) ; second, cut it up ; third, cut it altogether, for we should certainly not care ever to look into it again."

Owing to the bad weather the picnic to Eangitoto last Saturday proved a dead failure. Ono or two adventurous spirits did indeed commence to scale the mountain, but after going a little way and getting wet through they gave it up in disgust. The majority sheltered themselves as well as they could under a kind of tent made out of the steamer's sail, and sang songs. It was however a lugubrious business, and we were all glad to get home again.

The following extraordinary paragraph has been forwarded me presumably for publication : — "There is no truth whatever in the rumour that an aged clergyman smuggled a lot of lavender kid gloves in the seat of his unnie'ntionables the other day, and filled his Wellington boots with jockey club scent. It would be better for all parties if they would take the tronble to enquire into these matters before they spread such damaging reports."

The disturbance at the little church of St. Thomas's, in Union-street, appears to have smoothed down very considerably. A concert was held, last week in aid of the building fund, and the members of the flock once more gathered under the sacred roof in peace and harmony. The seceders were prominent amongst the performers, and everything appeared to be free from the discord and strife which, was so recently apparent. There were, however, still some of the dissatisfied ones at All Saints last Sunday.

Mr. A. Priestly, the Inspector for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, visited Gisborne last week, and travelled over a considerable extent of country ; he expressed himself very decidedly against the manner of sheep farming in vogue there, and considers the country far better adapted for some years to come as most suitable for cattle and swine. The scab seems to be continually increasing and the high fern and scrub on the back country will render it impossible to clean, so that the settlers in that district will no doubt take his advice.

One of the cause* of the great success achieved by the Australian eleven in England was undoubtedly, that they had first-rate tools. A good workman you know is nothing without good tools. Those who wish to make "cock" scores during the ensuing cricket season, should therefore go at once to the emporium of Messrs. Partridge and Woolam's.and select from their admirable assortment of bats, balls, wickets, gloves &c, a suitable outfit. — £Advt] .

A rather amusing story is being told about C , a Ponsonby milkman. Several gentlemen were conversing the other evening in reference to their respective places of birth, when the milkman, who is remarkable for the natural depth and richness of his brogue, passed on his rounds. " What part of Ireland did you come from," said one of the gentlemen, laughingly. " Arrah, be aisy, sir," returned the son of the old sod, in a loud whisper, " shure 'an 'ave been in the counthry these fiye-and-twenty years, and people take me for an Englishman." The outburst of laughter which greeted this speech was a genuine one.

An anonymous contributor is responsible for the following: — A rather amusing incident occured in connection with the gentleman who appeared at the Fancy Dress Ball last week as a Headsman. The dress unfortunately was made without pockets of any kind, and on leaving home the Headsman found he was minus gloves and pocket handkerchief. As these were undispensable he stopped the cab opposite a draper's in Parnell, walked into the shop in full rig, much to the surprise of sundry purchasers, and wildly demanded gloves and handkerchief, which were handed to him by the shopmen, who didn't in the least know who the purchaser was.

On Thursday evening, 21st inst., Mr. F. G. Ewington lield a highly successful party at his new residence Mount Roskill. The weather was abominable, hut as Smith's 'busses had been engaged to convey the gents from their homes and hack, very little inconvenience was experienced., and the success of the gathering was not in any way affected by the rain. The assembly numbered about fifty, and was composed of both Episcopalians and Baptists. Various games were played, but most of the time was spent in tripping the light fantastic. Even the fair Baptist girls (what will the Eev. A. W. W. say when he hears it ?) appeared to enjoy this popular recreation immensely. The party broke up about 1.30 a.m. on Friday, having spent a most pleasant evening. On the way home one young'lady ejaculated, " I do wish. Mr. Webb would start a Baptist dancing class at Wellesley Street ! "

It is just as well that the Rev. A. W. Webb is returning from " starring "it in the South. I fancyhe will be sorry he left his flock under the temporary guardianship of the reverend humourist S. U. D. That talented, but slightly eccentric lecturer, has led "Webb's lambs most wofully astray. Even the old deacon who claims to be "the only honest draper in Queen-street," regards himself as the founder of the church in Auckland, and acts the roll of heavy father to each successive pastor of Zion chapel, Wellesley-street, has turned his back upon his absent friend, with whom he was on terms of such loving intimacy, and in moving a vote of thanks to S. U. D. the other night at the close of the lecture he said that "the stylo and tone of thought which Mr Davis had introduced into their midst was so diverso from that to which they were accustomed that it could not fail to do much good." Go for him, Allen.