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Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 87, 18 August 1877, Page 3

An unpleasant incident is reported mov Lower Gornal, m Worcestershire, Ensland A few nights since, a party of people -were returning home from Dubley to Lower Gornal, when m the mnin road, known as Bagley's Lane, they were alarmed by a host of snakes and lizards advancing along the road, which literally swarmed with them for o distance of 'more Mum ten yards. They were, m fact, so plentiful that it was difficult to walk witl out treading on them nt every step, and the.nerves of the ladies of the parly were so shocked that they requested the gentlemen to carry them. This j request Vas of course immediately complied j •with, and the snakes and lizards although squashed by dozens, fortunately do not appear to have sit own any loss of temper, butpumied their mysterious march without attacking any one. It- is supposed that they come from "the ßuff," part of which has been on fire for years, owing to old colliery "workings being there, and that the heat has at last become so unendurable that both snakes and lizards are compelled to retreat and find a new home. It may be that the. reptiles are en route to London, with the intention of seeking a shelter m the Zoological Gardens. A. Yorkshire correspondent of a Manchester paper explains a new system which he had tried with success for curing bibulous •wives. He was long troubled with the intemperate habits of his wife, and found the local plan of " punching" of no avail. Ultimately he hit upon the plan of painting her face' black each time she got drunk, and he has now secured domestic happiness.