A Big Landslip.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 132, 14 June 1901, Page 4

A Big Landslip.

Paris, May 10. Details of the total disappearance of the Italian village Vaglio in the Etruscan des Apennines during the night of March 23rd are given by the Figaro. Only four of the inhabitants escaped. It seems that a slight sliding movement of the upper part of the mountain had been noticed a fortnight before, but tho villagers, after recovering from their terror, returned to their homos, convinced that the danger was past. About midninght, when everybody was asleep, the fatal landslide occurred, carrying the whole village to the bottom of the narrow valley. The river, being blocked, rose rapidly and flooded everything. The village cemetery was uphoaved and a lot of the coffins were washed down, the skeletons startling the inhabitants of other places below. When an investigation was started it was found that a great snow-storm had taken place, covering the entire soene four feet deep.

When some inquisitive member asks about the Ministerial travelling expenses some time this year, the little total will bo found to be a colonial record.—Free

Lance. A Wellington telegram states: —Rule 9 of the Harbor Regulations has been cancelled, and tho following substituted : A vessel under 130 feet in length when at anchor shall carry forward where it can best be seen, but at a height not exceeding 20ft above the hull, a white light in a lantern so constructed as to show a cloar, uniform, and unbroken light, visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least one mile. A vessel of 150 ft or upwards in length when at anchor shall carry in the forward part of the vessel at a height of not less than 20ft, and not exceeding 40ft above the hull one such light, and at or near the stern of the vessel, and at such a height that it shall be not less than 15ft lower than the forward light. A vessel aground in or near a fairway shall carry the above light or lights, and the two red lights prescribed for a vessel not under command by article 4 (a) of the regulations for the prevention of collisions at sea.

In a letter to tho Press, Mr James Freyberg, timber expert, who was one of the suficrers by the Wellington fire, says :• “ It was very hard luck to have everyth!' g swept away in a few minutes, but I do not complain about the money (hi llrer things that can be replaced-;

ness and sympathy shown], has touched the whole fann.lf I do regret the loss of books ou L and forest legislation in force througViJ 1 ' Europe, Asia, and ‘ ’Rica,’ that I had col-' leeted for the benefit of New Zealand; also a manuscript and notes connected with tho colony, and daily becoming very valuable, that I had laboriously gathered together during the last ten years. In some eases I travelled hundreds of miles to verify facts of infinite importance affecting our future timber supply. This loss will, I fear, never be recovered, and I am so disheartened over the wasted energy I have given to the subject that I probably may abandon it altogether.”

Owing to Captain Fishwick having accepted a shore appointment with the Tyser line in London, the following changes in the commands of the fleet have taken place Captain Child, of the Hawkes Bay, has been promoted to the Tomoana; Captain Lid stone, late mate of the Tomoana, has been given command of the Hawkes Bay; Captain Firth, of the Indradevi, has now command of the new steamer Xndralema; Captain Trotter, of the Indramayo, has the oommand of the Indradevi, and Captain Horsfall has command of the Indramayo. The Star of Victoria has been withdrawn from this trade, having been sold.

Lay on, MaoDaff! who hasn’t read How bold Mabbcth was slain,

But now he's been go long since dead, Why rake him up again ? Then let him rest, he’s out of date, We’ll turn to something newer, If you’ve a cold, be not too late, Take Woods’ Great Petfebiusi Ccre,