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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 266, 17 May 1865, Page 3

Small-pox ik Calcutta.-— The French barque Marguerite, which arrived on Friday from Calcutta, reports that at the time of her departure (28th February) the small-pox was raging in Calcutta to a rery alarming extent, and the number of death# were rapidly on the increase. Unfortunately the vessel does not bring any papers. The French barque Union, loading with rice, was the only vessel on the berth for Sydney.— Sydney Empire, April 17. A “ Gobilla” ik the Witness Box.—An amusing case has been heard before the judge of the County Court at Leicester. A person named Shentini, sued Ms. Paul, the proprietor of a music-hall, in Leicester for a breach of contract. The plaintiff said he wrote to Mr. Paul, offering to perform a» the “man monkey” and gorilla at £2 las. per week, Ills wife to take part in the ballat, and either party to give a fortnight’s notice. Tne defandant accepted the terms, and said lie would like him to come at once. He did so, and he believed gave satisfaction to the audience, although he was not properly supported, but the defendant dismissed him at the end ol a fortnight's salary, ihe plaintiff handed to his Honor a number of placards with some “ sensation engravings of gorillas, and a number of opiwionsbf the proas ‘ His Honor: How do you perform the monkey business?—The plaintiff: As naturally as possible. (Laughter)—His Honor: Were there any complaints made against you?—The plaintiff:—Yes, the defendant said I got drunk, but it was only part of the “ business” for me to tumble down. The monkey is supposed,to get drunk. (Renewed laughter.) The defendant, Mr. Paul, said the engagement, of the plaintiff resulted ip a complete disappointment and he told him the day after his first appearance that engagement must conclude in a fortnight. The plaintiff was really drunk, and his wife tumbled down and pulled all the scenery on her. (Laughter), 'ihe plaintiff said they hud only two-pennyworths downstairs that night. His wife popped through the door, when the cottage fell down. He pointed out to his Honor how ho had covered himself with glory, to the Era, in the ‘Jack Robinson and his Monkey,” and asked if ho got drunk would he be mentioned in such terms. Air. F. W. Coverdale the defendant's manager, corrrborated as to the dismissal of the plaintiff, but admitted that he had been applauded and never hissed. His Honor gave a verdict for £2 15s. Under the Bed.—An alderman of Oxford (Mr. Thomson) retired to bed with his wife on 'luesday night. A little dog, which had got into their room, showed such symptoms of uneasiness that Airs. Thomson instituted a search, in the course of which she discovered a man under the bed. An alarm was instantly given, and the fellow was dragged from his hiding-place. Previous to his proceeding upstairs lie had left his shoes in the front garden, and he had managed to dose a larae mastiff with chloroform. A bottle of that poison was found in his pocket; he also had a black bag with him, containing a complete'get of housebreaking implements. Ho has been committed for trial, it appears that the fellow is well known to the police. Starved to Death. —Airs. Ann Hunt, widow, aged seventy-one, residing at Barnstaple, died a few days ago from want of care, exposure to cold, and in fact starvation. Her husband had occupied a very respectable position. She had no income, aud for some time existed on the proceeds of jewellery and clothes belonging to the family. Her sou had been a heavy charge upon her, having lost hi# situation as Controller of Customs at Lyme Regis. A daugtlier latterly earned about twoshillings and sixpence a week at glove-making, and while she was absent on 1 hursday week the old woman died. A friend found her lying on ths floor, on her side, quite dead. Her clothing was most scanty, and her only covering was a blanket. Her body was very dirty and emaciated, and several sores were discovered on her back and abdomen. F uacds on Fibe Insurance Offices. —Three men were brought up at the Alansion House policecourt on Thursday. The men had been employed at Meriton a Wharf, Dockhead, where a few weeks ago there was a great fire. When goods wore landed at the wharf to be stored, tablets bearing the name of the Vessel by which the goods had been brought were affixed to the bales. Since the fire the prisoners have removed the tablets from several thousand bales and affixed others bearing another name. The bales have then been represented as destroyed by the fire, the trace to them being removed by the changing of the tables. In this way some thousands of pounds have been paid by insurance offices for goods which are now in the warehouses. The plan was exposed by a laborer at the wharf. The prisoners were remanded. A plain Salad. —The Southerners at the commencement of the war being asked what they wanted, replied, “ lettuce alone and the Northerners have, out of sheer perversity, been trying ever since to give them a dressing. Among the rules of the “dtggins ’’ at Reece River are the following:—“ Lodgers inside arise at sam.; in the barn at 6 o’clock; each man sweeps up his own bed ; no quartz taken at the bar; no fighting allowed at table ; any one violating the above rules will be shot.” . < ~i ■: A Western Editor, describing the effects of a squall upon a canal boat, says ' “When the gala was at the highest, the unfortunate craft keeled to larboard, and the captain and another cask of whisky rolled overboard.” The best adhesive label you can pat a* Imwm ia ta tUek to ityWaak. **