THE FEDERAL COUNCIL. MR DOUGLAS ON SEPARATION. Banquet by the President. [BY TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.—REUTER.] Hobart, January 28.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2116, 30 January 1886, Page 2

THE FEDERAL COUNCIL. MR DOUGLAS ON SEPARATION. Banquet by the President. [BY TELEGRAPH.— COPYRIGHT.— REUTER.] Hobart, January 28.

The Federal Council resumed its sittings in the Executive Cwuncil Chamber today. • Mr Berry moved a motion in favour of obtaining official information as to affairs in connection with the Islands of * Kaiatea and Samoa, which was agreed to. The subject of the Anglo-French and Anglo German relations then came before the Council. A long discussion en>ned, the genetal expression of opinion being that the Federal Council .should be kept well informed of all negotiations proceeding between England and France, and England and Germany. Regarding the dct<iiU, nuny differences of opinion were manifested by the members though all admitted the general principle. The debate was adjourned till to-morrow, after which the Council adjourned for the day. At a banquet given by Mr Service, President ol the (federal Council, last night. Mr Douglas (one of the Tastnanian representatives) made a speech, in which he predicted the early separation of the colonies from England. He said the time was not far distant when the colonies would no longer remain subject to a little island in the Northern hemisphere. The other members of the Council present expressed dissent from the view held by Mr Douglas on the subject.

Ten* physician^, who have had an opportunity for personal observation, repot t diversely as to the deadlines'; of leprosy. Four feel certain that it is absolutely incurable, three are in doubt, and three believe that chauhnoocjra oil may prove a specific, as they have seen remarkable [results from its use. The great diamond shipped from £>^>uth Africa is expected to prove the most marvellous btone ever known in size, colour, purity, and quality. It will weigh, in drop shape, it is estimated, about 220 carats, or 300 in lozensrft shape, brioletti. The Koh-i-noor weighs 100 caracts, the Regent of France 13(5 carats, and the Orloff, which was cut for weight, 195 carats. The close connection between intoxicating drink and crime has been very strikingly illustrated by Lord Napier, of Magdala, who has stated that he caused a return to be prepared for the offences of about 18,000 soldiers, the result showing that the total abstainers in the number had no crime, the partial abstainers practically none, the whole body of crime being amongst those who drank freely. "It is impossible for me," wrote the Bishop of London about strong drink. "To escape from the memory of the fact that I have found myself very much better able to work, to write, to read, to speak, aud to do whatever I may have to do, ever since I abstained entirely from all intoxicating liquor."

Eduoxd About, the French journalist, used to tell a charming story, which was cjuite untrue, of a " man with a broken ear." A true story, charming as to one of its incidents and painful as to another, comes from Vienna of a girl with a broken ear. She applied at a hospital, and complained that she suddenly became deaf. Being urged to give particulars, she said that her sweetheart who had been long absent from her upon a journey, on his return bad pressed his lips toiler ear, and kissed her with considerable ardemr. Her hearing was gone from that moment. An examination of the ear that had been kissed showed that the tympanum was ruptured. Messrs Binney and Macleod, auctioneers, land and produce agents, 161 Lower Queenstreet, Auckland, announce that they are prepared to receive and realise on best terms all djjry aqd. lucm produce,