Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 44, 17 February 1876, Page 4

An interesting example has just been shown of the uses to wbich the telegraph may be put for purposes rather of conversation than of correspondence. Sir Julius "Yogel intended to proceed to Sydney to settle several matters with the Government of New South Wales, which had been referred to bim from New Zealand. He found, however, that be waa unable to carry out his intention, and a telegraphic conference was suggested. The Government bere gave him the free use of the wire as far as it extended in this colony, and on Saturday Mr Robertson, tbe Premier, and Mr Burns, the Post-master-Genera), of New South Wales, at one end, and Sir Julius Yogel at the other, held a four hours' conversation, during which an understanding waa corae to on all the subjects under consideration. In some respects a telegraphic conversation has peculiar advantages. There is less liability to turn to Bide issues, and there is a disposition to come more directly to the main points. — Australasian. The earlier and seusatiooal accounts of the gigantic fire by which the city of Virginia, Nevada, bas been in great part destroyed is now supplemented by the detailed narratives found in New York papers. Tbe modified accounts of the disaster ore aufficiently appalling. The wind at the time was blowing a gale, and the portion of the city to windward of tbe outbreak was rapidly enveloped in flames. In vain were seoreß of buildings blown up. Tbe fire still marched on resistlessly. The roof of the Catholic Church was blown a hundred feet in the air, but the fire swept past its bare walla. The loss of life is kuown to be considerable, but no attempt to estimate it is made. During the fire a waggoner was murdered by an infuriated man who wanted his goods driven beyond the reach of the fire. The waggoner demanded more tban tbe frantic man could pay, and he ehot bim dead. Some 6000 personß were crowded inlo temporary shelters in the neighborhood, and the public schoolhouses, all of which by a singular freak of fortune were spared, were used as refugees. The total lossea were estimated the day after the fire at 4,000,000 dole., but this does not include tbe damage done by the hindrance to the Nevada mines. Subscriptions for the sufferers were being set on foot in San Francisco, and tbere was a panic in the shares of the great silver mines, from which a large number of hands will be thrown out of work until repairs are effected. Tbe fire began in some livery stables. The superintendent of an insane ssylum in France, while passing through tbe wards recently, noticed a man of very inoffensive appearance sobbing in bia Led like a child. "My poor friend what is the matter?" inquired the physician. "Ah, sir," said the lunatic, " my next neighbor has played me a sad trick, He concealed my knife, aud I have beeu looking for it two hours without being able to find it." Then be added, with a smile child-like and bland, "But I will play him a fi. c trick in return." " That's all right,'' said the superintendent;, consolingly

patting hira on the shoulders aa be passed on. Two days later tbe superintendent ch'inced to walk through t.he same room early in the morning. His iriHane friend stopped him and said, " I bave found my knife again, and have played that trick on my comrade that I told you I should do." " How is that?" " While he was asleep, I hid his heal." " This man is very crazy," thought the superintendent; then he asked, *' And what did you do with it then?" "I put it in the linen closet; but you need not tell hira," was the answer. The physicaa walked fco the closet, opened the door and looked in. The head of the lunatic's comrade was there.