MISCELLANEA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 212, 11 January 1865, Page 3

MISCELLANEA.

Conspicuous among the exhibits at the forthcoming Exhibition will be found somo articles of silverware from Adelaide, which, for elegance of design, and beauty and delicacy of finish, are of the highest order of excellence. They consist of candelabra, inkstand, claret jug, and a few smaller articles, from the establishment of Mr. J. M. Wendt, jeweller of Adelaide, and are consigned to the care of Mr. Lazar. We defer a description of them until a more fitting opportunity. — Otago Daily Times, December 23. Bushrangers.—The Gunning correspondent of the‘Yass Courier, 1 writing on the subject of bushranging, observes:—“ My last communication respecting the dismemberment of Hall’s gang turns out to be quite correct. For some time past the ‘ old man’ has been very dissatisfied in consequence of finding that bushranging was not the remunerative jolly game it used to be in the days of the escort robbery and Canowindra festivities. It seems that the ancient reprobate joined the sticking-up corps not to acquire fresh renown, but to realise cash, he having an idea that the proceed* of one week’s robbery would find him in three month’s debauchery. This not being the case, ha gets crusty and saucy, and so provokes his leader as to cause him to punch his head, whereupon the old sinner allows his wrath to obtain the mastery over his discretion, and dissolves partnership, thereby flooring himself entirely; for, however, the settlers up and down the Lachlan and its affluents may, because of old associations and ties of consanguinty, favor and assist Ben Hall, the feeling does not extend to his associates after they leave him. Not ten hours after the fracas, the police were laid on his heels, and ho was in about , three days taken up, arid is now being boarded and lodged at the expense of her most gracious Majesty. lam informed that Dunlevy has left Ben Hall only pro tern, he finding his wounds yet too green for active service—his bridle-hand being so swollen and inflamed as to be almost useless.” Another terrible story of Australian bush life is thus narrated in the Marengo correspondence of the Yass Courier: —“ Perhaps some of your readers recollect that about twelve months ago I sent communications to the Courier, to the effect that several Marengonians had, while looking for stray cattle, been much startled by the sudden appearance and disappearance of a wild looking man, hatless, with dishevelled hair and torn clothing; also, that I believed this poor creature to be no other than a certain ex-pnblican of Gully, Burrangong, who had been driven mad through the grossdishonestyandshocking infidelity of a very near connexion. This surmise is now proved to have been correct, for last Monday the wandering maniac’s remains were found much gnawn and decomposed, in the bush between hero and Young. The police arc in a measure responsible for this horrible death, for the unfortunate deceased, after being given in charge, escaped from one detachment; and other members of the force, when two or three times informed of the lost one being seen near here, said it was not the man, and gave themselves no further trouble about the matter. Three or four private individuals made an unsuccessful effort to secure him. On one occassion n few teamsters camped one night near the Wambernumba Inn, were much surprised by the unhappy man making a dash at their ‘ billy’ of tea, hastily drinking part of it, and then rushing again into the bush. Yet, though the authorities or their representatives were informed of all this, they appeared by their actions to evince but little interest in the affair, and thus the poor forsaken wretch was apathetically allowed to wander day after day until fatigue and want killed him.” Accidents from Lightning.—During the heavy thunderstorm, on Wednesday evening, several accidents from lightning occurred in town, but fortunately none of them were attended with serious consequences. In Horse-shoe Bend, a girl about 17 years of age, daughter of Mr. Owen, tailor, sustained a severe shock —having been so frightened by a terrific loud peal of thunder as to drop down in her father’s yard insensible, in which state she remained for a minute or two. Medical aid was procured and she soon rallied, ihe electric fluid struck a portion of the upper walls of Mr. Morris’ house in the Bend, and knocked off a few of the bricks, but no other damage was done. A dog was killed in Elgin-street, near the railway station, and some trees were splintered in anotner part of the town. — Maitland Ensign. The united circulation of the Daily Times and Witnesson Saturday was bet ween 10,000 and 11,000 copies.— Otago Daily Times, Deo. 19.

Horrible Death feom Ckixolxne. —Another victim has been sacrificed to crinoline. A woman, a keeper of a coffee-shop in Chelsea, whilst waiting upon her customers, caught fire from the shop stove, and instantly ran out into an oilman’s shop. From thence in a sheet of flame, and shrieking piteously, she bounded back again into her own premises, when she set fire to the parlor. Men and women in pursuit endeavored to throw her down on the floor, but the affrighted creature, losing her self-possession, eluded their efforts, and appeared gifted with superhuman strength. She flew away from her would-be preservers into the garden, where a Miss Lewis, fortunately, but too late, enveloped her in a carpet and stifled the flames. It was now found that the steel of the crinoline were red hot, burning into the very bones, while the flesh dropped off the arms and legs. A medical man shortly after arrived, but death speedily put an end to her sufferings. Novel Duel.—An apothecary had refused to resign nis seat at a theatre in Vienna to an officer, who feeling himself insulted, sent him a challenge. The apothecary was punctual at the meeting, but observed he had to propose a new way of settling the dispute. He then drew from his pocket a pill box, and taking therefrom two pills thus addressed his antagonist:—“As a man of honor, Sir, you would not wish me to fight on unequal terms. Here, are, therefore, two pills, one composed of the most deadly poison, the other perfectly harmless. We are, therefore, on equal ground if wo each swallow one; you shall take your choice, , and X promise faithfullv to take that which you leave." It is needless to add that the affair was settled with a hearty laugh.