MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1225, 21 August 1885, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

For their services at Suakin, the New South Wales contingent have been awarded a clasp and a gratuity of L2 a piece to privales, the amount being increased for those occupying a higher rank. Mr J. K. Grant, of the Criterion Hotel, Gore, recently (says the ‘ Mataura Ensign’) imported a billiard table from London, ‘the freight and insuranos to Port Chalmers amounted to L 5 7s, while the cost of transmission to Gore per rail came to L 7 13s 7<l, The question arises—what would he have had to pay over and above the Home price if instead of importing himself he had obtained the billiard table through a Dunedin tradesman ? We know of a consignment of goods purchased in England which were conveyed to another Colony, which, after freight, customs, and all other dues bad been paid, stood the purchaser in less-than one half what similar articles would have cost if purchased in the nearest town to where he lived.

Twenty pounds, with the option of six months in gaol, would seem to be substantial “ consideration,” to use a legal term, for kissing a young girl. A few days ago an elderiy and respectable looking man, employed as a verger at All Saints’ Church, Prahran, was made an example of as indicated for having several times kissed a girl of the age of 15 years when she went to the church to recover a shawl which had been left there on the occasion of a wedding some days before. His denial of the fact, along with the statement that he offered the girl the shawl, when she ran away, together with the production of a testimonial as to his good conduct from a “ live lord,” was insufficient to mitigate the penalty. One would think that the mention of kissing would bo likely to make him turn pale in future, especially if he has to “take itout.tf The bearing of the probate suit of “ Barhour v. Barbour” was resumed at Dublin on June 15. The plaintiffs, James Barbour and Thomas Digby Johns, propounded and seek to establish a will, dated January 2, 1885, of the late Thomas Barbour, of the Fort Lisburn, New York, and New Jersey, The defendants, the testators, widow and son, dispute the will, and allege another of March 16, 1883, executed in the United States. The amount of the property left by the deceased is estimated at between L150,00Q and L 200.000, but the amount affected by the instrument now in dispute—that of the latest date—is only L 15,000, divided between the testators, three sisters, and two executors. Under the American will Mrs Barbour was to get LI,OOO per year, and under the last will she gets onethird of the property absolutely. Judge Warren having summed up, the Jury, after half an hour’s deliberation, found for the plaintiffs on all the issues. It is stated that the defendants intend to mova tor a new trial. At the South Tottenham station of the Midland Railway about 5 p.m. on June 15, a gentleman was observed walking up and down the platform apparently labouring under some excitement. When a train was signalled he was warned of the danger of standing too near the edge of the platform ; but as the train was entering the station he placed his hands together and deliberately threw himself on to the rails just before the engine. The engine-driver, who had noticed the movements of the gentleman, endeavoured to bring the train to a standstill, but without effect, and the unfortunate man was knocked down by the engine, and the train passed over his body. Although both legs were terribly crushed, one of his arms badiy cut, and severe injuries done to the head, he was not killed outright. He was immediately removed to the Royal Free Hospital, Gray’s-inn-road. Bo hj legs and arm were amputated by Mr Barrow, one of the consulting surgeons to the hospital, but the patient died soon after eight o’clock. Whilst on his way to the hospital the unfortunate gentle man stated that his name was William M-Laran, of the firm of M’Laran, Crump, and Co., merchants, of Glasgow.

A passenger describing the scene on board tbe City of Berlin when the vessel collided with the iceberg says :—“ I don t think coolness is a merit in such a case as this. However, if there is to be a bet on it I’ll back the three young men who, wheu the crash occurred,called the steward, aud, telling him to give them due notice in case death was inevitable, turned back to sleep again. On the other hand, if any gentleman wishes to know who was the most frightened woman on board I will tell him. She was ft cabin passenger, and her name I neither k low nor wish to know. She rushed on deck in her nightdress,and, spying a middle aged bachelor in the distance darted at him, hung on to his right arm and implored him to tell her what she should do to be saved * Do, madam ?’ he exclaimed. ‘Go back and dress yourself in the name of Cod and propriety 1 That is the best thing you can do under the circumstances If you have to die, for pity’s sake die decently, and if God wills that we should seek safety in the boats, you certainly can’t leave the ship in that garment. It might make a good shroud, but you’re not dead yet. madam.’ The lady went back to her cabin and promptly changed the flimsy garment. Other women especially among the emigrants, prayed and wept, hut none other ventured on deck without some species of substantial garment huddled round her.”

A very pretty young woman with a little girl by her side nearly as pretty as herself, was being entertained hy a male stranger, who had struck up an accquaintanoe through th i usual an 1 always convenient mediumship of the little girl. The stranger did all the talking. He was one of those men who think they know everything, but only rarely got a chance to tell it. Tlae lady answered only in monosyllables. Tho lictle girl listened patiently and demurely for a time and then began to fidget round in her seat. Finally as the stranger stopped for breath, she said : “ Mamma, you’ve found one. ain’t you ?” “ What, my dear?” “ Why, don’t you remember what you tol l papa when he said you’d be lonesome on the cars? You said you’d find some bore to talk yon to sleep.” Mamma looked out of the window and the stranger thought he had better go into the smoking car to find his friend.

The directors of a newly-established bank had engaged the services of a night watch man, who eame well recommended, but did not seem to he over-experienced. The chairman therefore sent for him to post him np a hit, and began, “ James, this is yonr first job of this kind, isn’t it?” “Yes, sir.” Your duty must be to exercise vigil ance.” “Yes, sir.” “Bo careful how strangers approach you.” “ I will, sir," “ No stranger must bo allowed to enter the bank at night under any pretext whatever.” “ No, sir ” “ And the manager—he is a good man, honest,reliable and trustworthy; but it will be your duty to keep your eyes on him.” But it will be hard to watch two men and the bank at the same time, sir.” “Two men—how?” “ Whv, sir, it was only yesterday that the manager called me in for a talk, and he said you were one of the best men in London, but it would be just as well to keep both eyes on you, and let the directors know if you hang around 1 after hours,”