MISCELLANEOUS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1081, 18 March 1880, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Debuts states that the foreign Offioe is considering the expediency of creating French chambers of commerce abroad, of giving the most important French consulates the assistance of commercial agents acquainted with details, and of giving consuls of tried capacity the same stability of tenure as is practised by the British Government. The Berlin correspondent of the Standard says.—The failure of Messrs Godeffroy, the so-called South Sea Kings, at Hamburg, is owing to enormous losses sustained in the bubble companies period of 1871 and 1872. Their attempt at recovery has now failed, after a Btruggle of seven years. Their liabilities are given at 10,000,000 marks, a figure likely to prove below the truth. Of London firms Baring Brothers are creditors for L 165,000, and Henry Schroder and Co. for L 53.000. The beet crop in Europe is worse thar was anticipated, and the price of sugar has sensibly risen. Many refineries have come to a standstill, and nearly all are likely to terminate their operations by the end of December. The quality of the crop is inferior, and the quantity deficient.

The liquidators of the City of Glasgow Bank have commenced an action in the Court of Session against the directors and managers of the bank for payment of L 6,231,000 due by them in October, 1878. The liquidators wish to establish a claim on the estates of the defendants.

A uew postage stamp i 3 to be issued this month in Great Britain. It will bear a portrait of the Queen as she looks in her mature age, quite unlike the portrait of her Majesty on the stamps now in use, which represent her as she was when just entering womanhood.

The quantity of foreign spirits imported into the United Kingdom and entered for consumption was 5,143,750 proof gallons in the first half of 1877; 5,037,711 proof gallons -in the first half of 1878; and 4,718,100 proof gallons in the first half of 1879—0 r 400,000 gallons less than in the corresponding half of 1877.

Among the incidents reported from the inundated region in Spain is the finding of a six-months' old baby, which was found in the neighborhood of Murcia, peacefully sleeping in its cradle on the surface of the water. It was rescued alive, and the Archbishop of Valencia has undertaken its educetion. It is known as "Moses II."

A gentleman who has recently returned to Auckland N.Z., from a trip to England, purchased in London stockings marked with stripes of a dark red color, which he wore after ariving in Auckland. The coloring matter marked his legs and feet, and the marks became painful, and the result was that erysipelas set in. The Czar has determined to erect a Russian Church to commemorate the occupation of the Shipka Pass. As the church is to be built at Shina, in East Roumelia, Aleko Pasha's permission must have been obtained. To enable all Russians to take part in she execution of the patriotic scheme subscriptions are to be opened throughout the Empire. A practical joke played by one angler on his companion at Olichy, in Prance terminated in a tragical manner. They were fishing near each other on the bank of the Seine, when one laid down his rod, threw two big stones into the river, and then hid himself behind a tree. The other hearing the splash, turned round, and, not seeing his friend, thought he had fallen into the water and sunk ; he jumped in to save him, but was carried away and drowned.

The infant daughter of Sir Michael and Lady Lucy Hicks-Beach has been baptised at the parish church of Coin St. Aldwyns, near Sir Michael's Gloucestershire seat. Her Majesty the Queen was one the godmothers, and was represented by Mrs Haygartb, an aunt of Lady Lucy HicksBeach. A silver cup was sent as a present by her Majesty engraved with the following inscription:—"Victoria Alexandria Hicks-Beach, from her godmother Victoria R. and 1., October, 1879." At Otawa, a small pox victim was rescued alive from a coffin after the grave digger had partially covered it with earth. He heard a noise, and on enquiring into the cause succeeded in saving the unfortunate man.

The Oobden Club medal for political economy has been won by a Parsee student of the Bombay University. The iron ship Philosopher, from Calcutta to Boston, has foundered. All hands and a cargo valued at L 40.000 were lost.

Between L 300,000 and 1400,000 in specie is reported to have been taken from the Bank of England on Nov. 14. for shipment to America. It has been ascertained that no less than 401,080 persons died from fever in theN.W. Provinces of India and Oude during the month of October last.

Three kittens have died of diptheria in Qgdensburgh, N.Y. They contracted the disease from children affected with it. The postmortem examination showed plainly the diptheritic membrane in the kittens throats.

On January 3rd, a terrific explosion occurred on the premises of Mr George Hanson, gunsmith, of Baxter-gate, Doncaster. Mr and Mrs Hanson and Miss Jlillen Roberts were killed The shop one adjoining, and a public-house at the back were all destroyed. Other premises in the neighborhood had their windows and roofs greatly damaged. It is believed a fire started in the° portion of the building where Mr Hanson kept a considerable quantity of gunpowder for retail purposes, and was not discovered until the explosion took place. Mr Hanson and his wife were blown to pieces.