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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XL, Issue 197, 11 August 1876, Page 4

The writer of " Notes " in the Timaru Herald says : — "Apropos of Dr Featheraton, a curioue piece of what we may call secret hißtory haa transpired, which speaks much for that noble quality of eiagle-mindednesß attributed to him by (hose who knew him best. It is etated that some years ago, when the fatal disease which has dow carried him away began to manifest itself unmistakeably, the doctor's physicians assured him that the only chance of saving his life lay in immediately going to a hot climate. At that time, as it happened, the Imperial Government were engaged in the annexation of Fiji; and the circumstances referred to coming to the knowledge of Lord Carnarvon, he offered the invalid the appointment of Governor. Dr Featherston, however, considered himself in duty bound to remain in the service of Isew Zealand, and with singular devotion refused the offer of a poHt in which his years might very probably have been prolonged. It will ba remembered that prior to the announcement of Sir Arthur Gordon's translation from the Mauritius to Fiji, a report prevailed in New Zealand, and gained considerable credence, to (he effect that Sir Donald M'Lean had been fixed on for the Governor. Tbis report was, if we remember rightly, publicly contradicted by Sir Donald; and we have little doubt now that it arose out. of a misunderstanding of the offer which was really made to Dr Featherston." The Wellington correspondent of the Mariborough Times tells some truths more plain than personal when writing of matters political. He observes : * e The position at present is peculiar and somewhat unwonted. The House is a perfect horse-leech, not for work, but for pabulum to work upon. It has, and haa had for some time, the Financial Statement, the Counties Bill, the Financial Arrangements Bill, and so on; it has two separate and independent schemes propounded by private members; but it wants tables, and it wants the Public Works Statement, and so on again, as elements of what must be, when it comes to be consumed, and, as the vulgar would call it, a • mortal gorge.' All we can wish is that good digestion may wait on appetite. There is much reason to fear that when all the elements of the feast are provided, it will be found that many who desire to deal with matters in ylobo, and at 6oe fell swoop, will be found unequal to the expectations of themselves which they themselves entertain. In many of the speeches on tbe abolition question last year there were indications of the politican and the statesmen. This year there are many men of inferior culture who are more cavillers than cavaliers in battle political, and the possibility is that the more magnificent the subject tbe more insignificant will they appear in their treatment of it. The scope of their conceptions, and the style of their expressions, are infinitely meaner than their pretensions. Vide Bees and other prominent, though not eminent, Oppositionists." The "Poison Fiend" stalked abroad ia Charleston, and great is the lamenttation among owners of pet animals. Twenty-seven dogs, a drove of pigs, several goats, and cocks, hens, and geeße uncounted, have fallen victims during the last few days. Some say the destroyer has been seen in police uniform, other assert that it flits to and fro in feminine habiliments, Others again aver that the destroyer assumes tbe shade of a <( eockaioo." In any case the unravelling of the mystery is a matter that brooks not delay. — Westport Times, It is stated that tbe pecuniary results of the Philadelphia Exhibition are likely to be very disappointing to its promoters, whoee responsibilities can only be met by a daily attendance of 53,000 visitors for six months at halfa dollar each, whereas the average attendance has not hitherto exceeded 20,000. In the streets of Washington 28,700 shade-trees are growing, 19,000 of which havp been planted within the last three years, The Tuikish Ambassador at Vienna recently paid a visit to the lunatic asylum in that city, and the first patient he was shown was a man who had lost his reason through being ruined by the fall of Turkish stock. The ambassador immediately left the aßylum, he did not wish to see any more patients,