General News.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1655, 2 January 1885, Page 2

General News.

Five smallpox patients died in the hospital ship at Sydney. No fresh cases are reported. The premises of the American Novelty Company at Sydney have been destroyed by fire. Damage £IO,OOO. A. writer in the Mark Lane Express, discussing some correspondence in the Otago Witness on the profitableness of wheat growing in New Zealand, says “As far as wheat growing is concerned, there is no need to discuss its profitablensss at present prices, as it cannot pay anywhere. Even the Ryots of India cannot grow wheat to sell in England at 30s a quarter, or even at 355, and they can probably produce wheat more cheaper than any other cultivators in the world. For a time, at any rate, it will be wise on the J part of farmers in New Zealand and other colonies to grow only as much wheat as is needed for their own consumption. Far too much is grown for export. There never was a case in which it was more necessary to ‘ limit the output.’ More wheat is grown in the world than the world needs for consumption, and until the disproportion is rectified, wheat will bo grown at a loss.

A Southern paper Bays.:—We-are evidently about to experience one of those strange visitations which have often occurred in this colony, but which nobody has ever yet explained satisfactorily. Tbe sparrow and linnet nuisance is to be supplemented this year by the parroquet nuisance. Prom all quarters we hear of the parroquets making their appearance in rapidly increasing numbers ; and there can no longer be any doubt, we fear, that they are coming in their thousands, and their tens of thou* sands, as they did in the memorable summer of 1877.

Wanted, a friend. One who will recognise me when I am compelled to wear patched breeches; who will take me by the hand when I am sliding down hill, instead of giving me a kick to hasten my descent; who will lend me a shilling without requiring twenty shillings worth of security ; who , will come and see me when I'm sick who will pull off his coat and fight for me when the odds are two to one; who will talk of me behind my back as he talks to my face. Such a a friend is wanted by ten thousand times ten thousand human beiugs throughout this broad earth.

A New Zealand Mutton Company has opened shops in all the largo towns of England. It is said that in Newcastle they have a very large shop. They sell hundreds of carcases on a Saturday, and one cannot get along the footpatl for the crowd standing around. They sell legs at 8d per lb ; necks aid shoulders 6Jd ; loins, 7d; and bmsts 4£d and sd. They are opening cnt shops at Gateshead, Blaydon, Ja’row, Shields, and other places, The colliery people on Saturday are all haded with it, and everyone is ready t< buy it because it is cheap. If wodt was good and money in plenty agreat many would never look at it; S( that it is a good thing for all, as il has reduced the price of beef and mutton. There is plenty of good boiing beef at 8d and 9d.