NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 69, 8 September 1880, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

The PuzzIe. — Not a few persons have answered the invitation which we issued to inspect the stone taken from the inside of Mr. M'Ewen's horse, but although, amongst the number there were some who considered themselves experts among horses, the matter was as great a riddle to them as the sphynx. It appears to be nothing uncommon for cows to contain petrified masses— though of much smaller proportions— but in the experience of none of those who have seen it, has such an object been seen inside a horse.

To Whom it may Concern.— Attention is drawn to a notification published by Mr. Eliot Warburton, solicitor to the executors of the late Mr. Peter Manson. It is notified that all claims against the estate must be rendered in duplicate before the 4th of next month, and a request is further made that accounts owing to the estate may be paid without delay. Better late than Never. — A few days ago Mr. Piers Warburton received official intimation that some exhibits of mutton hams, and other articles which he had sent to the Sydney Exhibition had been accorded Honorable Mention. Considering the time which has elapsed since then and now, we must say that the gentleman whose duty it was to make known the results, appears to have taken his own time to do so. Slaughter of the Innocents.— Another collision, ending in the slaughter of a fine cow occurred yesterday. When the ballast train was running up from Karere the beast strayed upon the line, but although the whistle was blown and steam blown off in order to frighten it, the animal would not shift and a collision was the consequence, the shock being so great as to throw a couple of trucks off the line. It is needless to say that the cow paid the penalty of its temerity. Scarcely the Correct Thing:— Although cleanliness may be akin to godliness, still it is just possible to exercise that virtue at a wrong time and in a wrong place. Last Sunday was a regular Summer's day, and the heat of old Sol's rays had such an effect upon a number of the youths of the town, that they determined to turn the gravel pit on the Foxton Road into an impromptu bathing place. The consequence was, that in the broad day light a number of boys of advanced ages were careering in puris naturalibus about within sight of the passers by. Therecan be no doubt that a bath on a hot day is a boon, but it should not be indulged in at the expense of decency, or by a violation of the feelings of the public. To-morrow's Election.-We would remind burgesses that the elections for the vacancies in the Borough Council take place to-morrow, and without seeking to influence any elector in the choice of his candidate, -we would impress upon all the importance of attending the poll and registering votes for those whom they may think the most fitting for the position. We are surprised to hear that an opinion is somewhat prevalent among the burgesses that but one vote can be registered. This is a mistake. There are four candidates, and consequently the voting papers will contain four names. The voter then draws a line-right through the name of the candidate for whom he does not wish to vote, leaving the three other names untouched, but care must be taken neither to write a line, nor make a mark on the paper — other than the line above alluded to — otherwise the whole three votes are nullified. A Dangerous' Practice.—During the close of last week some children were playing together, and one of them by accident hit another with a stone. The father of the latter was soon on the spot, and as the parents of the little fellow were not at home, he proceeded to administer a castigation himself. This he did by soundly boxing the ears of the little fellow with his shut fist, not stopping until the eyes were blackened and the face considerably bruised. During the night the beaten, child became to had that medical assistance had to be called in, but although the remedies taken had it relieving effect, up to the present the doctor is not quite certain that internal injuries have not been sustained. The custom of boxing children about the ears is not only a brutal but a dangerous practice, and half the deafness prevailing might be originally traced to the thoughtlessness —to put it mildly— of parents and masters in inflicting punishment in that way. Advance, Palmerston.— Thanks to Mr. P. Warburton, Palmerston will not be unrepresented at the Melbourne Exhibition. On Monday we inspected a novelty in naval architecture in the shape of a canv s Rob Roy canoe, but very materially differing from the original. The boat, which although above five feet long, is of the lightest character, weighing not more than fourteen pounds, and constructed on such a principle that it can be shut up like a book, and carried under the arm. The covering is the best canvas, so well coated with paint inside and outside as to be thoroughly waterproof, the stays or ribs work upon a pivot on the centre board, and when the boat has to be closed, are turned round so to run down not across. The seat also shuts up in the centre with a hinge, and merely by turning a few buttons what one moment has been a most substantial-looking little draft, in another becomes a nondescript kind of article of the genus umbrella. It is made to either row or paddle and the gunwale is mounted with bright-looking brass rollocks, which an underground of blue sets off to advantage. , The canoe has been specially built for Mr. Warburton to his own design by Mr, Dixon, and every article connected with it — saving the canvas — is of local industry. The little structure will be found invaluable, to sportsmen, who with it will be masters of land and water, and if we are not very much mistaken we shall hear more of it, after it, has been under the scrutinising gaze of our Victorian neighbors Mr. Warburton is also sending to the Exhibition a very appropriate exhibit in the shape of a chess table, the top of which is artistically impressed with New Zealand ferns. Both articles were sent to Wanganui on Monday to be transhipped to Melbourne by Mr. Brooking, the courteous Town Clerk of Wanganui, who has taken a deal of interest in having this Coast represented.