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Western Star, Issue 810, 19 January 1884, Page 3

King Theebaw’s wife (the ‘Times of India’ says) has borne him a daughter, not a son, and the court of Mandalay seems to be in a pretty state of commotion. King Theebaw upbraids his Queen, and she upbraids the midwife and the astrologers; while courtiers lament the loss of the largesse that would have been presented it the unfortunate little girl had been a boy. The first child borne by Soo Payah Lat was a boy, who died soon after birth The two next children were girls. Up to this time Soo Payah Lat had been the only wife ; but when the second girl was born Theebaw took unto himself two other queens, on the plea that she had given over bearing sons. She, however, made brief work of her rivals when she was strong enough to resume the reins of Government. will probably try to marrr- again now, but the unhappy women he honors by the promotion will have a hard time of it. Queen Soo Payah Lat rules her husband with a rod of iron, and Theebaw is a puppet in her hands. In the olden days the Kings of Bunnah always had four legitimate wives, queens of the east and west and north and south, but Soo Payah Lat, who is as jealous as she is savage, is never likely to consent to a revival of the old custom. The disappointment at Mandalay may be real enough, but no one out of it is likely to regret that the vices of King Theebaw have not yet been transmitted in the male line.

The charge of criminal assault preferred against P. Williams, of Carterten, has been dismissed, the medical evidence failing to support the evidence of the prosecutrix. The majority of the coal-miners at Kawakawa who went out on strike have resumed work on the terms offered by the company. In Mexico daring the hot season it is dangerous to use ice-water, and the warm water from the streams and stagnant pools is unpalatable. To obviate the difficulty they cover pails, canteens, and jugs with one or two thicknesses of blankets and hang the whole in a draughty place away from the sun. Cool water results.

Tlio Australasian and the Australian Electrio Companies will probably amalgamate. Cured of Drinking.—“A young friend of mine was cured of an insatiable thirst for liquor, that had so prostrated his system that be was unable to do any business. He was entirely cured by the use of Hop Bitters. It allayed all that burning thirst, took away the appetite for liquor, made his nerves steady, and be has remained a sober and steady man for more than two years, and has no desire to return to his cups.”—From a leading R. R. official, Read, {Seefourth page.)