LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 28, 3 January 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A patient m the Wanganui Hospital named James Brownlee died under chloroform. The surgeon gave evidence that before he had time to become un-. conscious deceased had remarked that he was going to be sick, and witness removed the chloroform. The deceased then sneezed twice, and immediately died. The deceased was subject to a weak heart. Witness attributed the death to heart disease. The Captain and crew of the Auckland schooner Agnes Donald were suddenly attacked by two islanders. The captain was wounded m two places. In the struggle one of the assailants fell overboard, but the other was secured. The captain believes the natives intended to capture the schooner. The whalers on the East Coast are very husy at present. The Wairoa Guardian, of a recent date says : — " We learn that there is considerable excitement and activity among the whalers at the Mahia, consequent on the appearance of large numbers of whales m the hay, as many as 16 boats being out at a time. Three Scamperdown whales were caught last week. "Jacob Terry " (Mr E. J. Creighton) writing to the Otago Dailg Times, says " that the cultivation of beetroot for sugar manufacturing purposes has proved a complete failure m California. It was found that making sugar did not pay. The Post understands that private letters received m town, state that the medical advisers of Mr E. Hardcastle, the Resident Magistrate of Wellington, who is at present absent on sick leave, hold out no hope of his being able to resume duty for a long time to come, and that he will consequently m all probability resign lug appointment. The Auckland Star says : — " A Usury Act, imposing substantial penalties for oxtortion. should occupy the attention of social roformers. It is as much wanted m Christian New Zealand as m India, where the Government have dealt effectively with the exactions by the native usurers." The Wairarapa Star understands that the late Mr H. Vallance, who met with a fatal accident a few days ago, was insured with the Government for £1000, and had only made his first payment at the time of Ins death. Mr McKenzie, buyer for the Gear Meat Preserving and Refrigerating Company, reports having purchased 34,000 prime sheep m good condition m the Hawke's Bay district. The sheep will be lifted and forwarded from time to time, as the Wellington market and the requirements of the company's operations demand. Householders will do well to see that the gutters along the frontages of their buildings are m proper repair, as after New Year they will be liable to a penalty qf £5 if they allow any drippings trom the eaves to fall upon any public tootpath or footway. Hhe White Island sulphur industry seems to be going ahead. The Bay of Plenty TVwes.pf fhe 23rd, states that the working party have got 130 tons during the last three weeks. The sulphur is shipped to Auckland.

Mr Abraham, who has for some ye ars carried on business m Dunertin as a promotor of racing swoops under the assumed name of Ada Mantua, announces Dunodin papers that he has sold out to Lions and Hart, pawnbrokers, of that city. During the vast year there has been a large decrease m the number of deaths m Christchurch. This is probably owing greatly to the improved sanitary condition of the city consequent on the completion of the deep drainage system. The schooner Cygnet, it is stated, brought up from Samoa, to be forwarded Home, a petition signed by a large number of the Samoan chiefs, praying the British Government to annex the islands. A rumor is current that an effort is to bo made to form a Government, with Weber, head of a great German firm, as premier. William Sheehan, charged with the Castletown Roche murders m Ireland, has been lurther remanded till the 9th January. The prisoner's counsel offered no objection, provided, on the arrival of the deposition, the police supplied him with copies. Superintendent Thomson promised this. We remind the policy holders that they must forward their voting* papers m connection with the election of a central board of management for the Government Life Assurance Department, so as they can reach Wellington before January 7. There are already ripe peaches m the gardens m Napier. He was travelling with his little boy by train, and m the carriage was a deaf old lady and her maid. The maid several times communicated to her mistress by the means of a speaking tube. The youngster, after regarding them very attentively for some time, said : •' Father, what has that old lady got the gas laid on for ?" The parent had just purchased a portable gas stove, with connecting tube. There died m the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum last week, a man named Benjamin Wheedon, aged one hundred years and five months. He was born on the Island of Connecticut, three miles from Eode Island. He left his home when a boy and went to soa, and sailed from London to Sydney m 1806. He put into Port Phillip Bay for water m 1828, and was some years m Degrave's employ m tho cattle trade between Melbourne and Hobart. When the old diggings broke out he left tho sea and went to Forest Creek. He came to Bendigo m 1852. Tho steamer Tongariro will take 5000 sheep as a consignment from the Gear Company, who also will export about 3000 sheep per steamer Arawa which leaves Wellington for Home about the 18th January. An extraordinary funeral took place at Whitchurch, Salop, -England, a little while ago, Miss Nunnerley, of Wirrall, Cheshire, being interred m her wedding clothes, even to the wreath, boots, and ring. The deceased was engaged to be married to a cheese factor from London, the son of Mr R. W. Burgess, of Whitchurch. The wedding was postponed owincr to the illness ol the bride's father, who died six weeks ago, the day after the ceremony was arranged for. As, however, all preparations for the wedding were made, it was decided for it to take place quietly a week or two afterwards, but a day or so before the time fixed Miss Nunnerley herself was taken ill and died. m the neighborhood of Paikakariki are desirous of having periodical sittings of the Magistrate's Court held there. Notwithstanding his blindness Mr Fawcett (the late Postmaster-General of Great Britain) was a great walker. He rode regularly on horseback, and m winter when there was ice, he was often found skating m the fens of Cambridgeshire. A young man, now aged 19 years, who will come into an estate worth nearly ±'200,000 upon reaching his majority, was lately committed to prison m England for theft. He had previously been twice convicted ol the same offence.