Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 80, 3 April 1872, Page 2

Coromandel Gold fields. — The correspondent of the Herald writes under date March 29 : — " The crushing for the Bismarck mine was nearly finished to-day. Up to three o'clock, 1217 ounces of gold had been lodged in the bank from the GOOlbs. of specimens, and about half a ton of general stuff, and they expect to get another small lot of about 30 ounces tomorrow. Poisonous Fish. — The Taranaki Herald says : — Several persons on Thursday were suddenly taken ill through eating of some dried habukas which were brought by the s.s. Taranaki on Tuesday last. The fish must evidently have been moon-struck, at which time they are not fit for human consumption. The Evening Post says : — " Tbe first razor manufactured in New Zealand from the Taianaki iron sand has been shown to us. Mr. Smith, the armorer at Mount Cook Barracks, is the maker, and he has succeeded in turning out a very respectable looking instrument. The handle, as well as the blade, and, even a small plate of silver Ist into the handle, are also colonial material and manufacture, the former being made of ake ake. The Natives. — We are glad to say that very little drunkenness— very much less than usual — has been seen amongst the natives who have been crowding the streets the last few days. Many of them are possessed of a good deal of money from the sale of the land purchased by the Crown last week. The ladies, as we have already said, have been going in heavily for riding habits, tall hats, &c, and have been thronging tbe photographers for photos of themselves. Their money is fast finding its way into our shopkeeper's hands. Yesterday over forty guineas was paid for a buggy and turn-out complete, and thirty pounds for a dog-cart — the former purchased by a lady. — Wanganui Chronicle. Price of Sheep. — A short time ago we stated that those enterprising flockmasters, Messrs. Owen & Lethbridge, had purchased 2000 ewes from the famous flock of Messrs. Alexander & Peat, Kai Iwi, at 265. each — a figure which was considered high, and accepted as an augury of good times to sheepowners generally. Two days ago, these gentlemen sold the half of their purchase at a rise of 4s. a head — 1000 ewes at 365. each— to Mr. Williams of Taifco, in the Hutt, indicating that our friends knew what they were about when they closed the first bargain. Mr. Williams took away an instalment of his 1000 sheep by tbe Wanganui to-day. — Post.

Smoking is very much on the decline in England. At the Universities not one man in five now smokes, whereas a few years ago at least four in five did. But in America it seems very much on the increase. A St. Louis paper says that all the fashionable ladies in th.t city smoke. Phormitjm Fibre for America. — Mr. E. Constable, of Waiuku, Auckland, sent away in the Nebraska the last shipment of 600 bales of flax prepared at his mill. Seventy tons more are nearly ready, and this will be forwarded in the next steamer.