TIMARU.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 1000, 24 April 1871, Page 2

TIMARU.

Sunday, April 23. Yesterday morning, a trooper named Kennedy, while searching for the remains of the men supposed to have fallen overboard, when quarrelling and lighting in the Ottawa's boat off Timaru, on the 14th inst, picked up part of a back bone, thigh, and leg-bone, with a foot, to which there was attached a boot. These were found two miles north of Timaru. The boots were ideatified as belonging to a seaman named Webb. The bones were perfectly fieshless. The search was continued 10-day, but there was nothing more found.

The Wellington Advertiser understands that Gapt Johnston, Marine Surveyor, will act in the capacity of coasting pilot to the steamer Nevada from Auckland to Port Chalmers, and, we presume, vice versa.

In Victoria the proposal has been mooted to form a hteam carriage company, with a capital of £ 25,000 in £1 shares for carrying goods between the seaboard and the termini of the railways by means of traction engines.

With reference to the recent sale of steamers in Wellington, we find the following in the Independent of the 19th instant :—A very large attendance was drawn yesterday afternoon to the late office of the N.Z S.N. Co. (now Messrs. Bethune and Hunter's sale room} to see how the Wellington and Ahnriri would be knocked down. Mr George Hunter acted as auctioneer, and, in reading the conditions of sale, announced that the steamers would be sold without reserve.. The first vessel was the s. s. Wellington, 365 tons register, 80 hoLse-power. The bidding commenced by Mr John Martin offering £4,000, Mr Harrison bid £4,200, and then the bids van on un+il Mr Harrison bid £5,100 ; £IOO advauce was then made by Mr Martin, when a long pause ensued, which was broken by a Mr Ford bidding £5,300. The competition was thencefoi th between Mr Martin and Mr Ford, the vessel being ultimately knocked dovn to the latter gentleman for £7,000. When Mr Harrison came forward to complete the terms of purchase the bystanders expressed their pleasure on discovering that the steamer was purchased in the place, it being generally understood that Mr Harrison was acting on behalf of tjie Wreck Recovery Company, and that the Wellington and her sister ship, the Taranaki, would belong to the same owners. The s.s. Ahnriri, 184 tons, 50 horse power, was next put np, and the bidding commenced by Mr Harrison offering £1,500. Mr Pearce made a few bids, but retired at £3,000, and the steamer was ultimately knocked down to Mr Martin for £3,650. This was received by the crowd by loud acclamation. A complete diving apparatus, the property of the N.Z.S.N. Company, was bought by M r Pearce on behalf of the Patent Slip Company for £4l. Mr R. J. Duncan afterwards offered the steamers Phoebe and Lord Ashley, but there were no bids in advance of the reserves of £IO,OOO and £3,500 respectively. Mr Martin offered £3,000 for the Lord Ashley, but it was not accepted.

THE HEIGHT OP ABSURDITY. [pall mall gazette.] In spite of the scriptural injunction to the comtraiy, we suppose there are people foolish enough to believe that not by "taking thought," but byanswering advertisements in cheap newspapers, they can increase their stature. Here is an announcement, cut from an evening contemporary, which shows, that gullibility is not an extinct characteristic of Englishmen : "To short. persons.-^-Anyone (male or female) wishing to increase in height and symmetry of figure, by means of a remarkable physiological discovery, may send a stamped directed envelope to Captain -." It will be observed that the captain does not promise any revelations, but merely permits the sending of a stamped envelope. Suspicious persons might suspect that this benefactor was going to impound the one stamp sent, and that his physio* logical discovery was connected with warm water, and the adjuvenescence bymeans of fiesh gum on the. old stamp. But no, the captain flies at higher game, or rather at more stamps. The result of a first application to him produces a neatly printed circular from which we extract the following gems. He com-, mences : " The means by which I propose to enable you to increase your stature by some inches (if desirable), and to develop the bod v proportionately, i* founded on personal observation and discovery while engaged in active service anion '• the giant races of Patagonia, in South America. The noble stature of these savage tribes led me to make certain investigations which on experiment gave very extraordinary results, and the value and efficacy of my discovery is sufficiently demonstrated in my own person, for from the height of 5 feet 8 inches I have in two years increased in stature by 6 feet 1 inch. In consequence, T can confidently speak as to the effect of my method of treatment." What a height the captain would attain it he persevered with his remedy ! Piogressing at the same rate, he would soon be able to earn an honest livelihood as a giant, instead of touting for postage stamps. For after a few paragraphs, showing a truly admirable and beneficent disposition, the cloven foot, peeps out in this way :—-" T cannot -of course advertise, &c, without rer imbursement; and as I really think the importance of my discovery deserves some recognition, I will on receipt of 5s 8d in uncut stamps, or otherwise to. cover outlay, forward every information and requisite by return of post." Alas for our trus r . in human nature ! Here is a groat philanthropist who will not stir under 5s Bd. The sum is as curious as the proposal is unique in its unblushing impudence. On the opposite page there is a list of questions to be answered, one of which requests the patient to state the height desired, and the captain modestly says :—" T cannot guarantee that the desired height will be exactly attainecf in all instances, but by a continuance of the treatment a very near approach may be made* Under all circumstances a considerable addition of stature may confidently be anticipated." In spite of this, we agree with the captain that, " all remarkable discoveries are sure to encounter much incredulity, no matter how true or feasible they may be."