SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 263, 5 November 1872, Page 1

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

We have heard tbat the portion of the road between the Newton and the Lyell is iu a very bad condition. Several horses have been killed on it during the last month; making it very dangerous to pack provisions from the Lyell up tbe Buller. The. Choral Society of Wellington are to perform the oratorio "Messiah" at Christmas, when the strength of the chorus and orchestra will be between 95 aud 100. At a recent meeting of the Philosophical Society, at Wellington, a discussion arose relative lo the importation of pigs into New Zealand by Captain Cook, when Mr. Brogden read a calculation, according to which, ten pigs, half of tbem being females, would produce in ten years, 52 millions of pigs. The Southern Cross &od the New Zealand Herald appear to be leading a " cat and dog" existence just now. The Cross calls tho Herald an astounding caricature of honest "journalism," ami hints that it has almost reached the " deepest depths of degradation." The Southern Cross of the 26th, publishes a letter from Mr Lyster, announcing his intention to make a lour through the colony this summer with this Opera Troupe. He says: — "In order to ensure success, Signor Cagli and I have determined to take a double company — Italian and English — with a full chorus of male and female voices, and a good orchestra. The operas will be placed on the stage iD a proper manner, with nothing neglected." It is the intention of Sir George and Lady Bowen (says the Otago Daily Times) to make Fern Hill their residence for a few weeks before the end of the year. On the occassion of the Governor's visit to Dunedin, bis excellency will be accompanied by the Hon. Mr, Waterhouse, who is desirous of making himself personally acquainted with this part of the colony. ' This will be the first visit paid by Lady Bowen to Dunedin. Trade appears to be in a bad state in Auckland. The Southern Cross says : — " The number of bankrupts coming before the Bankrupcy Court in Auckland is greatly on the increase, and there is likely to be work for His Honor the Cheif Justice and the Official Trustee for some three or four months to come, even if there be no more adjudications. Tbe assests in most of the bankruptcies, the schedules of which have been filed, show for very small amounts, and very small percentages of these are expected to be realised." Stamp Duties. — The new Stamp Act comes into operation on the lst December next. After that date all cheques will have to bear merely a penny stamp, and stamps of similar value will have to be placed on aU receipts over £2. The following notice has beea issued by the Secretary for Stamp Duties : — " (I). Persons holding adhesive stamps of the value of twopence may, by requisition on the Stamp Ofiice of the Province, or on any depositary of stamps, exchange the same for an equivalent value of adhesive stamps at one penny, or any other denomination, (2.) Persons holding stamps at twopence, impressed on blank forms of cheques, drafts, or receipts, may exchange, the same in like manner for adhesive stamps of other denominations. But no exchange of stamps at twopence, impressed on blank forms of cheques or drafts, will be made after the 30th November, except at the reduced value of one penny." Insanitt peculiar to Fleas. — The learned Professor Carr is of opinio, that insanity is a disease peculiar to fleas, as they invariably die cracked. A Southern Paper, having discussed the question propounded by a New York paper, *' Shall the next President of the United States be a woman ?" concludes as follows : — " We nominate Power's Greek Slave.' She has three of the qualifications at least— a marble brow, a finely chiselled nose and a silent tongue." A Goliah's sword, about two yards long has been found near Lutzen, -in Prussia. The guard or hilt is protected by a serpentine bar 20 inches in length, and on the blade there, are hooks, probably for dragging the enemy off his horse. The question of ostrich farming is being .discussed by, many of the Australian papers. The feathers are literally worth their weight in gold, the price being £45 per lb., single feathers bringing from 15s to £1 each. As the birds may be plucked almost every eight months, it is evident that the speculation must be a profitable kone.yy'<kky '•;* ikki yyyy •'■'■:■:■ ■ '. 'Y.'yikkk >A;B iY^keistmajny; yearalago *£over^,'the,'.~ Sierra; ••'•Nevad^ onlyroadmaker, they naturally found some ,^«s^ 3ratK_rtitee^ observedf " -Steep, stranger,v this amt nothing; thereKare^Bome places- so Bteeo 'Y.ibb'.v.-*v.<i'&s-!y-~...^