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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 273, 19 November 1870, Page 4

In his late address to the Grand Jury in Napier, his Honor Mr. Justice Johnston made the following remaiks ou the prestut aspect of European affairs : — "Gentlemen, the thoughts affecting our own ti mporary prosperity have been reccntiy diverted from cur minds by the spectacle tiffin ded to us by the attitude of the two great, nations engfged in a «.'!«rai)ti<struggle, in which, though very widely separated as regards geographical position, we take, nevertheless, the iot ensest interest. The pictures that have been brought before our minds' eye during the last, two or three months, sire uirmnjzst the most remarkable the world has ever beheld. We have seen a great up-heaving of two great peoples ; a war, remarkable alike for the causelessness as to its origin, for the suddenness of its outbreak, for the energy and comprehensiveness that have marked each successive stage in its progress, and for the rapidity with which incidents of world-wide importance have followed one another. No doubt the belief exists in the minds of the nations engaged that they are fighting for great principles. Our thoughts, also, have been turned to the pi ivations, sufferings, and misery which are consequent upon war carried on on so great a scale. AH theee spectacles and considerations naturally suggest to a

reflective mind the value of those institutions which have for their object the maintenance and security ; aud we must hope and pray that the great nations whose conflict has so interested us, may be led magnanimously and humanely to make such concessions, on both sides, as the interests of humanity may rrquire, and thus contribute to the maintenance of a sound and lasting peace. I allude to these things, in this place, gentlemen, because, though we belong to a small and distant community, still it would be worse than affectation in us to pretend to ignore, or be careless with regard to events of such magnitude ; and there is no doubt that in the administration of impartial justice we have one of the greatest securities for the formation aud development of a sound aud wholesome national sentiment ; and we may, therefore, consider that we are at present engaged in the performance of I duties not remotely connected with the maintenance of national peace. G-as-Engine . — A patent has been taken out for a pas-engine for small powers. The explosion of the gas is not effected in the cylinder or intermittently, but is performed continuously in a separate vessel, into a continuation of which water is injected, and the resulting steam and hot products of combustion work the engine in precisely the same way as steam works a steam-engine. Thi3 species of g s-en<;ine is of small size relatively with the power produced, and cao be sold at a moderate price. TOBACCO-CTJTTING, &C. — A tobaCCOcuttiug machine, has been patented whereby tobacco and other fibrous substances are cut into very fine shreds by a rapidly ievolving circular knife brought down upon them by suitable mechanism at the proper intervals. The cutting is thus more cleanly effected, without the bruising which occurs when the separation is effected by the chopping action of the long knife usually employed . A MAN in Rhode Island haa been sent to gaol for ten days for sleeping in church. Nothing was done to ihe clergy man. A Georgian editor has had his pistol stolen. He advertises to give the thief the contents, and no questions asked, if he will return it.