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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 283, 27 November 1872, Page 2

. A Melbourne Correspondent of the Dunedin Star gives rather a lugubrious picture of the big city. He says: — "Let no one leave Ofcago to better themselves in Victoria.! CSTe are all well off, and,, perhaps don't know, it. Melbourne streets teem with - fallen women seeking : the wages of sin. The factory boys — called * larrikins ' — prowl about in twenties, and duck even policemen in the tanks opposite hotels with | irop|i.n|ty/, :: . : Stabbing, takes place in open day^randV burglaries are so common that a man the other day,^ who caught. a housebreaker -f int the. v.erytact^ actually invited the robber to take a glass of wine. As for genteel ;thefts ? forgeries, I shop-liftii^, /pa^^^ they | are so commoh thTat such events wbuWi if j recorded, require a newspaper all to them- i

. The Americans have lately been trying a. rather daring experiment in the way of pile-driving. A. pile having been placed in position, a cannon weighing 1800 pounds with the breach dished so as to fit, as it cap, is placed on the top of the pile, muzz'e upwtjrds. Above is fixed a ram which can be shot downwards, but prevented from flying upwards by a brake. A cartridge is put into the gun, the ram allowed to descend, the cartridge is exploded, driving up the ram, which is stopped by ihe brake, and the recoil driving the gun forcibly downwards, thuß causing the pile to descend also. Upon trial, it was found that a ten-inch pile was driven down 20ft wiih five blows, and with an expenditure of Boz of gunpowder. Two Banks were defendants in actions tried in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, last week, for the dishonor of cheques or bills — the National and the London Chartered. The National was sued by Mr. Newcomen, a grazier, for the dishonor of a cheque of £230 he had drawn. It appeared that in 1871 he had acted for a short time as overseer for a station of which the bank took possession as security for a debt due by Mr, A. M'Kinly, a squatter. After he was paid, there was some, dispute between the bank and M'Kinley as to the expenses charged, and Newcomen having an account, at the bank, ! he was debited with £126 63., which appeared to be the sum in dispute. Not knowing this in time, he drew a cheque for a larger sum than was to his credit in the books, and it was dishonored. The jury awarded him £500 as compensation for the loss his credit sustained, and also gave him a verdict for the £126 65,, for which he also sued. The action agaiost the London Chartered Baok was brought by Messrs. Evans and Bilton, wine merchants, whose bill for £40 was dishonored at the Bourke-street branch, principally in consequence of the manager being absent when the bill was presented. The jury gave a verdict for plaintiff for £90. For continuation, of news see fourth page. 1

"Kespectable 1 DRiNKiNG."~Qri this' Bubject a Birmingham physician writes: — "' " From my own observations in this town, and facts within my knowledge, the daily drinking amongst women, who would scorn to be thought other than ladies, is simply enormous. A case came to my knowledge lately where a bill was sent to a husband from a most respectable confectioner, for wine, &c., supplied to his wife. on nearly every day iv the whole of one month ; on some days as many as six or eight glasses of wine being supplied to her." If YouPLBASE.-When the Duke of Wellington was sick, the last thing he took was > a little tea. On his servant handing it to him in a saucer, and asking if he would have it, the duke replied, "Yes, if you please." These were his last words. How much kindness and courtesy are expressed by them! He who had commanded great armies, and was long accustomed to the tone of authority, did not overlook the small courtesies of life. Ab, how many boys do? What a rude tone of command they often use to their little brothers and sisters, and sometimes to their mothers ! They order so. That is ill-bred and, shows, to say the least, a want of thought. In all your home-talk, remember, ** If you please." To all who wait upon or serve you, believe that "If you please " will make you better served than all the cross or ordering words in the whole dictionary. Do not forget three little words — " If you you please " " Speak gently ; it is better far To rule by love than fear."