LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1492, 25 February 1887, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to the disappointment of arrival of goods Mr Peter Wi'Uams's auotion room will be open for inspection at eight o'olook this evening. In referenoe to the remarks m to-day's leading article that the figures showing the number of blind m New Zealand at the present date are not available, we may mention that we learn from the RegistrarGeneral that the ascertainment of the number of blind persons is the last process m the examination and compilation of the results of the census, and that this has not yet been completed. Plinlimmo, a St. Bernard the largest dog known, weighs 2141b5. He stands 35 inches at the shoulders

Mr Gr. R. Freeman, for many years a resident of Wamiate, and who mot with an accident a .few days ago, expired yesterday from the effects of the injuries. He leaves a widow and six children.

The Christchurch Telegraph sava tnat amongst the contributions m the bags at the Cathedral thn other night were several jujubes and buttons.

There are 10,366 volunteers m New Zealand, of which lUI are m the Auckland district. Jg

It is reported that Californian salmon have been found m the Waimakirin.

An exchange says that New Zealand bacon, m cloth, is m good demand m Sydney at from 8d to Bid. The duty, however, is 2d per pound, whioh leaves a very small profit margin for New Zealand exporters. The New South Wales markets are glutted at present with locally made cheese at from 5d to duty 2d per pound, but first-class New Zealand butter is m and at 93.

The Melbourne paperß state that recently two boys found, on the banks of the Yarra a male child apparently about a fortnight old. The little mite was quite naked, and had been frightfully eaten by ants. The child, being still alive, was at once sent to the Children's Hospital for treatment.

It is said that the Salvation Navy, under the same auspices as the Salvation Army, has made wonderful progress during the past year, and that scores of British vessels now fly the Salvation flag.

The Poverty Bay Herald Bays that the book debts m Robert Cooper's estate, the nominal total being £9000 were sold for £11, and the properties alleged to be worth £93,000 were sold for £115,

The French people are nobly honoring Pasteur, the great chemist and biologist, whose researches into the germ theory of disease have done so much to alleviate human suffering. A testimonial fund is being raised m his honor, and m December last had reached £60,000.

The German war authorities are supplying to the army a new kind of rifle bullet, said to be of a far more destructive character than any hitherto used. The new bullet is of iron,

with lead inside, and its penetrative power

is claimed to be suoh that it would pass through eight or ten men when fired at close quarters,

The following is from the Itangltiltei Advocate of the 17th inßt. : — Induced by the big price offering for sheep m the Auckland market recently, namely 13s, a gentleman from Rangitikei shipped 500 to that place, but a big drop occurring, he only received tho medium price of.9s Cd. The Auokland market is evidently a very fluctuating one. Entries for the Rifle Association Meeting are on a rough calculation 290. From Cantorbury there are 56. The North Otago Times mentions that four

nightingales and five English robins have been

released by Mr Charles Bills on Mr John M'Lean's property, Redcastle, near Oamaru.

A Boheme is on foot for the establishment of a number of industrial villages throughout England. The object of this is to relieve the present congestion of population m London and other large towns and cities. The idea is good on the face of it, but it is looked upon aa somewhat Utopian, or rather chimerical.

Mr W. A. Murray, of Piako, and formerly M.H.R. for Bruce, who is at present m England, thus writes of the view entertained of the colony at Home : — " All speak fondly of Now Zealand, but deplore your ruinons burden of debt and over-government, and when I urged the natural advantages of New Zealand, they say, ' All is true as you say, but we fear to try taxation and undefined liability for the extravagances of men who are ruining the colony, and who seem to have no regard for the future or any idea of responsibility.' "