MISCELLANEOUS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 440, 23 September 1870, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

A mysterious discovery is thus recorded by the Hamilton Spectator:—“ About ten days ago, a boy in the employment of Mr. Robert Matheson, Maryvale station, happened to be out opposum hunting’ In climbing a hollow tree he found hidden in the insideof the tree a whole suitof woman’s apparel, together with a pair of men’s moleskin trousers, the whole clothing being more or less marked and stained with blood, the trouser, particularly, looking as if a man had wiped his bloody fingers on them. Wo believe the matter is being investigated by the police.”

The Victorianhangman, William Bamford having received his fee for the execution of Cusack, proceeded to enjoy himself, by holding a sort of “ lawn party” behind the Immigrants Home. Bamford, when out of gaol: usually lives amongst the scrub in this vicinity, and on the present festive occasion his guests were fellow outcasts who also inhabit the wilds between the Yarra and the Observatory. Four bottles of rum were procured, and having held a noisy orgie, the boon companions separated, Bamford proceeding to the Immigrants’ Home, where he began to use disgusting language towards the schoolmaster of the place. He was taken to the lock-up. and yesterday, having recovered the effect of his debauch, ho was taken before the City Court and fined £5, or two months’ imprisonment, for disorderly conduct.

Calamity, like many other words, is a relative term. 1 once went fishing with a portly gentleman, who, as a rule, took life easily, Our rendezvous was a large pond in the centre of an old royal park, finely weeded and undulating—an awkward place for a horse with a trap behind it to bolt in. Nevertheless, our horse did bolt with the trap behind it, just after we had alighted. My friend clung to the animal like grim death until the strain was too much for him, and he fell, the wheels passing over his body. On getting up he said, “ Never mind the horse and trap let ’em smash; I’m thankful I’ve escaped as I have.” On finding himself unhurt, he said, “I hope the horse isn’t injured, I don’t much care for tne trap” On seeing the horse led up. fiery eyed and quivering, but uninjured, he said, “ Thank goodness, that’s all right; I hope thetiap isn’t smashed.” On hearing the trap was all right, he examined the harness, and on that being found intact, he became more concerned than he had been yet about the safety of some bottled beer .and sandwiches which were stowed away beneath the seat of the dogcart. These, too, were found uninjured ;and then he blamed his own son who was with us for frightening the horse in the first instance!—" Cassell’s Magazine.”

The Chinese are noted for the success as I market gardeners, and we notice that a member of this enterprising race has made his appearance ih Oamal-u, and has takeh a piece of ground for the purpose of raising vegetables for the local market. The first sale of rope from the Oamaru factory was made recently. A correspondent at Greymouth informs the “ Hokitika Evening Star” that the five shil ing piece which was said by the editor of the Grey twinkler to have been dropped in Eevell street and picked up the following day, has proved a "counterfeit, " and his min 1 has therefore been disabused of the notion that the citizens of Hokitika are either too busy, or too honest to pick up “ dropped coin. " Our correspondent then proceeds to relate the following, and refers us to the Greymouth Star for confirmation as to its veracity. We publish what our friend has written but we decline the testimony which he renders, Yesterday, says our correspondent, a certain shopkeeper in Greymouth, who had by some process got possession of a £5 note, placed the same under a glass case and exhibited it in his window, where it attracted so much admiration that the footpath was blocked up by the gazing crowd." The too prevalent habit of sleeping in church is the occasion of many queer incidents and stories. A well-known citizen lately fell asleep in a country church. He was finally disturbed by the touch of a con-tribution-box in the hands of one of the churchwardens, who was making a collection ; but without opening his eyes the sleeper ejaculated, “ Season!" and sank back to resume his nap. It is necessary to say that he was a season-ticket holder in a railway. A parrot belonging to a country clergyman was generally taken out of the room when the family assembled for prayers, for fear that he might join irreverently in the responses. One evening, however, his presence happened to be unnoticed, and for some time he maintained a decorous silence; but at length, instead of “Amen!” out he came with “ Cheer, boys, cheer!” On this the butler was directed to remove him, and had got as far as the door, when the bird, perhaps thinking that he had committed himself, and had better apologise, called out, “ Sorry I spoke!”

Science and art. —A striking instance of the immense value a small piece of steel may acquire by the great power of skilled mechanical labor is the balance spring of a watch. From its extreme fineness and delicacy four thousand weigh not more than one ounce, and exceed in value £I,OOO. A most interesting little work, describing the rise and progress of watchmaking, has been published'by J. W. Benson, of 25, Old Bond-street, and the City Steam Factory, 58 and 60. Ludgate hill, London. The book, which is profusely illustrated, gives a full description of the various kinds of watches and clocks, with their prices. Mr. Benson, who holds the appointment to the Prince of Wales, has also published a pamphlet on Artistic Gold Jewellery, illustrated with beautiful designs of Bracelets, Brooches, Ear-rings, Lockets, &e., suitable for wedding, birthday, and other presents. These pamphlets are sent post free for two stamps each, and they cannot be too strongly recommended to those contemplating a purchase, especially to residents in the country or abroad, who are thus enabled to select any article they may require, and have it forwarded with perfect safety.

From ~ThoSouthern Argus.”:—“Our readers will have noticed some short time ago an advertisement in tho columns of this journal about Grover and Baker’s Sewing Machines. Several of the articles Were imported into this district, and it need scarcely be said that they have been constantly worked, and give so far the utj most satisfaction. After the first slighdifficulty of getting theminto working order, a difficulty easily overcome byan intelligent person, there is nothing to impede or hinder their usefulness.” Dorcas-Street, Emerald Hill, October 21, 1868, Sir in reply to your circular received last week, I take great pleasure in giving my testimony to the excellence and usefulness of the Sewing Machine supplied from your warehouse, which I have continually used since April last, It performs all that you guaranteed it would. 1 find it easy to work, and preferable to any other I have seen. Prior to my using yours, I had an English Machine, which was always getting out of order, entailing great expense in the constant repairs thus rendered requisite. Yours has never once been out of order though used daily, and for every description of work. I am, Sir, Yours ebediently, G. W, EVILLE.”

Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— The most effectual remedy for Old Wounds and Hlcers.—The wonderful cares daily effected by these celebrated remedies have established them, over all parts of the earth, inciuding, par excellence, the Cape of Good Hope, as two of the finest preparations ever made known, and it is an astonishing fact, that they will heal and cure old wounds and ulcers of twenty years standing, even after every other treatment has been resorted to ineffectually. All cutaneous eruptions readily yield to their mighty power; and for tha cure of Asthma, they are invaluable.