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Kumara Times, Issue 2352, 12 March 1884, Page 2

The death is announced to-day of William Blanchard Jerrold, author and journalist, at the age of 58. He was son of the famous Douglas Jerrold, dramatist, journalist, and miscellaneous writer, author of "Black-eyed Susan," contributor to " Blackwood's Magazine ;" on the staff of " Punch," for which he wrote the world-famous " Caudle Lectures ;" and who for several years before his death in 1858 (at the age of 55) edited "Lloyds Weekly (London) Newspaper." William (his son) wrote the "Life and Remains of Douglas Jerrold;" also "Douglas Jerrold's Wit and Humour."

The merits of Miss Georgie Smithson's entertainments on Saturday and Monday seemed to have became more generally known yesterday, and last night there were probably twice as many persons present at the Theatre Royal as on either of the two previous occasions. Nor were the audience disappointed. From first to last it was one continual scene of enjoyment, merriment, and laughter ; and we doubt whether any single individual, with the little assistance she had on the stage, ever gave such a night's general pleasure and satisfaction to her visitors as did Miss Georgie Smithson (with her assistant Mr Hennessey) at the Theatre Royal last evening. It is probable they will play here again on their return to Hokitika in a few days.

We observe the Fisher Comedy and Burlesque Company are announced to appear at the Theatre Royal next Saturday night.

Captain Edwin wired yesterday that bad weather was approaching from any direction between north-east and north and west; the glass to fall very soon and wind backing ; and after ten hours considerable and increasing sea. The Christchurch coach arrived at the usual hour this afternoon.

The Dillman's Town Quadrille Assemis to start again to-morrow night for the season, and persons desirous of joining are requested to meet at the Public Hall at 8. o'clock, when the first dance will commence. A treasurer will be appointed.

The Mount Benger Mail states that Messrs Cargill and Anderson (of Teviot Station) have about 50 men employed in the destruction of the rabbits on their runs. Mr Helen (the manager) informs us that he has taken delivery of between 70,000 and 80,000 rabbit skins since last shearing, so this will given an idea of the work that is going on. The owners of the station give 2d per skin (large or small), but in the winter season, when the skins are more valuable, 3d is given for them. Considering the prices that are being realised in the market, the station holders will be a good sum out of pocket at the price they give, but the rabbits have to be kept down at any cost. We are credibly informed that notwithstanding these exertions the rabbits are still plentiful. The keeping of this pest even within reasonable limits is by no means an easy task.

There has been successfully floated in Dunedin the New Zealand Plate Glass Insurance Company, with a capital of £IO,OOO. It is intended to conduct business throughout the Colony, the headquarters of the Company being in Dunedin.

Three children were burnt to death at Launceston, Tasmania, on Saturday morning, February 23. Two boys and a girl went into an outbuilding used for keeping dogs and poultry, filled with straw, and are supposed to have set fire to the straw. They were burnt to cinders before help could be given. Their names were Archibald and Elsie Beatrice Wather, the children of Mr Wather, draper ; and Charles, son of Mr Lay, chemist. The Taieri Advocate records a fatal accident that happened at Maungatua lately, which resulted in the death of a little girl, 18 months old, the daughter of Mr George M'Donald. Mrs M'Donald had poured a quantity of hot water into a bath, intend-

ing to bathe the child, and had gone out of the room for the purpose of procuring some cold water. During her absence the child either intentionally got into or fell into the scalding water. Dr. M*Brearty was speedily in attendance, and did all he could for the little sufferer, but she died on the following day.

The Madagascar correspondent of the ' "Mauritius Merchants and Planters' Gazette" writes under date December 28 :—"The situation in general seems to be that as long as there is no revolution in Antananarivo, and no French advance on the capital, foreign lives and property will be safe, but the fall of the Prime Minister, or a successful French advance, would necessarily place both in jeopardy ; yet notwithstanding this critical state of things, many goods from Mauritius or elsewhere have already been landed at Mahanoro, to the south of Tamatave, a place that the French continue to bombard intermittently, without doing, according to Malagasy accounts, any damage. Colonel Willoughby, from England, is here, and may possibly direct the Malagasy military forces, and from his military experience he may be found by his opponents in the field ' a hard nut to crack.'"

The Australian papers which come to us (writes the European Mail) indicate that journalism has made rapid progress in Australia. As a rule they are larger than any of the journals published either in this country or in America, and the edi. torial work is done in an accomplished and consistent manner. Even our morning papers cannot claim to be equal to them in workmanship or matter, for while the Colonial papers contain news suitable to all palates, they are by no means sparing of telegraphic news, both Imperial and Colonial, and it is in their favour that in this latter there are no slovenly repetitions, as is the case with the English morning papers.