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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 113, 15 May 1871, Page 4

Singular Phenomenon. — The inhabitants of the Basket Station, on the Delware division of the Erie Railway, were treated to a first-class sensation on a recent date. About, two miles north of the place, three acres of land, heavily timbered with hemlock, suddenly sank below the surface, disappearing in a manner similar to a load of dirt when the bottom is let out of the waggon. There was no apparent cause, but it certainly has sunk to the depth of about forty feet, leaving the tops of the trees just visible above the surface. The sinking was accompanied by a loud crash, which died away iv a dull rumble, heard at a considerable distance. The trees are standing in their natural positions, having evidently experienced no particular injury in their descent. It is usual, when such freaks of nature occur, for the sunken earth to be immediately submerged by volumes of water, but in this instance no such phenomenon attends. , The soil is of a clayej -.nature, and the sides of the chasm formed^by the sinking presents a smooth and even appearance, as if a huge spade had been thrust down, and the earth thrown out. The people at the Basket, and the surrounding country for miles, visited the scene of the phenomenon on Sunday, and viewed it with awe and consternation. They don't like to be close to where the bottom , seems to be dropped out of terrestial things. — New York Tribune. AustsalianWinb s. — The Food Journal for February has an article on " Australian Wines, " by |Ir. Phillips Bevari, F.R.G.S., in which he states: — "I am quite suie that, if the Australian growers in general would bestow more care in their selection of the soil, mode of cultivation, cellarage, and proper keeping, they have the materials, for a commerce iv wine in this country which it wili take' time only ; to develope. "