THE NORTH.

Evening Star, Issue 2818, 29 February 1872, Page 2

THE NORTH.

There are now only about eleven piles to be driven for the new bridge across the Rakaia. We leam from Wanganui that Mr M'Lean has finally closed with the natives for the purchase of the large block of laud lying between the Turakina and Rangitikei rivers. Silver, particularly sixpences, is so vefy scarce in Christchurch, that a bet has been made that LSO worth of sixpences could not be collected within a week in Christchurch. A tire at Kaiapo, on the 22ud insi, did damage to the amount of LI4OO, of which LSOO is covered by policies in the New Zealand Insurance office, and L4OO in the Liverpool, London and Globe. A Christchurch cab-driver, who weighs 13st. 131b., is to run a race with a wellknown local tradesman for L2O a side. The knight of the reins is to receive one yard start for every pound he is heavier than his opponent, who scales 9st. 81b. A daughter of Mr Geo. Bedford, farmer, Courtenay, aged four years, came to her death in a sad way last week. The father was away harvesting, aud his children took him some tobacco. Whilst he was at work they came across a bottle of whiskey in one of the sheaves, and they commenced to drink it—the deceased at the same eating some of the tobacco. Every effort was made to restore the child, but she died the same day. A curious case is likely to come before the Ros 3 (Westland) police magistrate. A happy bridegroom, known to be very parsimonious, invited some of his friends to meet him at his house after the marriage ceremony had been performed. Having been kept waiting for several hours, and the bridegroom not putting in an appearance, they got into the house aud destroyed everything they could lay their hands on. Legal proceedings have been taken. “Antipholus” in the Auckland Weekly Herald writes :—“ While Mr William Rowe was the manager of the Caledonian mine, nobody could find anything hard enough to say of him. He was a thief, a scoundrel, the curse of the goldfield, &c. But now he is a glorious fellow. He is presented with testimonials, he has ‘ banquets ’ given him (at which the ‘ viands are of the moss rechmxhe description,’ embracing all the delicacies of the season, including roast pork, boiled mutton, &c.) Oue man said at a meeting that he was the salvation of the Thames goldfield. Can anybody explain why this change ? Wherefore this adoration ? Whence this licking of feet and slavering ? Because Air William Row eis possessed of hard cadi, my friends. Hg has played his little game like a wise man, ab'd made his little pile, and now he is able to stand like the golden image that was set up on the plains of Babylon, and all men fall down aud worship him. Lucky Rowe !