MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2321, 6 January 1890, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

The "Scotsman" says :— An amusing incident occured in one of the public schools in the east end of Glasgow the other morning. Two boys in the upper class had absented themselves for several days', and -after the calliog of the roll were asked by the teacher if they had an ex use for absence. "Please, no, sir," was the reply-„ from, both, who were then taken out in front to be punished! Qne had got strapped, and the .teacher was about] to tacklethe other when the" class rose en masse, progressing against, the punishment. "What's the meaning of this ?" shooted the teacher in anger. " Please, sir, "said one of the pupils, " His father was foo' last nicht, and couldna' wriie a 'iine' and he didna' want tae tell ye," The boy was sent tobisseit amid tha cfieers from the class. - -.- .

One of Her Majesty's shipß collided with another while clearing oat of the Portsmouth docks, and had her bowsprit carried away. % Tho caqtaia prompt!; notified the;ilisaatwfl: to the Admiralty in a dispatch worded as follows :—" My Lords, I regret to have to. Inform your lordships that H.M.S.——,while learing the harbor, cane into collision with another, vessel; and her bowsprit has been clrried away. Awaiting instructions from your lordships, I have the hononr to remain," etc Promptly came an Admiralty wire in reply;: " Beport who carried away bowsprit, and where it has been placed." •

On the passage of the steam ship Glauctis to Newcastle she had • narrow escape from being struck by ope of the stray missiles occasionally shot from the firmament. The unwelcome visitant made its descent at twenty, minutes past 1 p. m. on the 10th instant off Crocodile Head. Thore was a very heavy thunderstorm at the time, and during and intern,! a sadden and sharp report like that of a well shotted gun of large calibre was heard. At the time of ths report a very loud whizzing noise was heard overhead, and simultaneously with this an aerolite was observed to drop into the sea in dangerous proximity to the vessel. The splash of the sub* stance—-whatever it wais--«ent tbe^. water flying to a height of 30ft. or more. —" Argus." !