AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 573, 11 April 1873, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

—o — The Sydney Government have in the Press a pamphlet on the Colony, showing the inducements for emigration. It is ntended to be largely circulated in Europe and America. Mr. Marscwell, manager of the Skull Creek Slation, Queensland, has been murdered by the blacks, who afterwards robbed the store. Telegrams have reached Adelaida from Yam Creek Reef and Pine Creek, which speak favorably of the gold prospects ait ♦hose places, Gold has also been found at TumbPng Waters. Darwin telegrams state that Leaps of quartz are ready for crushing, awaiting the arrival o f machinery. A publican at South Barwon, whon summoned for allowing a raffle for a pig, said that he sold the animal to some customers, who, rather than tear its body to pieces, shook the dice to decide who should have it whole. The Bench dismissed the case. Another instance of changed fortune for which Australia has ever been remarkable, and in which Wagga Wagga particularly has made for itself a name which is always associated with such changes, has recently come under the notice of the Wagga Wagga Express. A man known as Tom Johnstone, who was in the employment of Messrs. Love and Roberts, when that hi m existed, and is now engaged by Dr. O’Connor, has received a letter by the last English mail, announcing Ins succession to a good property, and calling him home to take possession of it. The Bendigo Advertiser tells tho story* of a jealous wife who revenged herself in a manner upon the cause of the mischief. “ A young lady of Sandhurst became attached to a married man, tho wife found out tho intimacy between them, and the married couple left the district. Tho world went badly with tho fair one left behind, who was at length constrained to write for assistance. The «ifs got the letter meant for the husband. She procured tho body of a laughing-jackass, picked out its eyes, and placed in its beak a severe letter from herself to tho young lady. A pretty little parcel was then made up and forwarded by train. At thi same time a letter was sent by post. It pm ported to be from the busband, but was not, and contained directions about the parcel. The young lady, overcome pith joy, ordered an expensive cab, and hurried to the railway station. The bird by that time hail advanced considerably towards decay*. In a case heard on Thursday before tho Supreme Court, Melbourne, a constable gave a distinction between a policeman drunk and a “civilian” drunk. lie thought Scrgrant Power, at tho time referred to was not drunk for a civilian, but be was not in a fit state for a police sergeant. He did not consider a civilian drunk unless he was lying on tho ground (holding on to the floor)” whilst ho thought a policeman unfit for duty who smelt of spirits. A man named Richard Nash, who many years ago held the responsible office of secretary to theVictnrian Railway department, has been arrested on a charge offorgeryand uttering four cheques for small amounts. He was to have Been brought before tho East Collingwood Police Court on Tuesday, but on the Bench learning he was too ill from the effects of over indulgence to bo brought from the gaol, the case was remanded. “A well-known inhabitant of Gipr.s Land named John Osborn, has been apprehended at Grant for imposing on tho Bank of Victoria at Sale, i. e., obtaining an advance on a 1740z cake of retorted gold, which, when examined in Melbourne was found to be spurious metal. A correspondent of the Brisbane Courier writes:—“By the last mail I received the following account from India of how a bus. band thonghtto cure biswife’s fear of snake’ and the horrible result. I send it down, thinking perhaps you would like to publish it. The gentleman was very fond of snake hunting; his wife had such an aversion t them that she could not bear even to lock at a dead one. Me thought this all nonsense on his wifes part, and determined to cure her of her fear. One day when he had killjd a large boacrnstrictor ho brought it hrmc and laid it in the verandah, and went into dinner (ho was not aware that when a boar is killed, its mate always follows wherever it is taken). 4fter dinner he told his wife ho had something to show her and directly she went into theverandah she jumped back into tho room and locked the door. Shescreamed dreadfully, but he thought she would f oonget over il, and be cured of her fear. In a few minutes’ time he opened the door, and what was his herrorto find his wife quite dead, and crushed by the ‘boa’ that had followed his mate without his knowing it. It had such an effect on tho gentleman that ho went mad, and is in an asylum at Represent dav,”