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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 293, 11 December 1877, Page 2

Au extraordinary story has been supplied to the Charleston Herald by a resident. On Tuesday last, he being engaged at some work on the Darkie's Flat, and being in a stooping position at the time, was made the eye-witness to one of the most remarkable and wonderful occurrences we have ever heard tell of. And judging from the excited state in which the narrator appeared to be in when communicating this to us, we were iuspired by the thought that this could not possibly be a " bilk." He was, as he says, quietly pursuing his avocation, when on looking up, the whole flat appeared to be moving in a long continuous, wave like manner. This undulating and seething phenomenon was nothing more or less than a gigantic army of nomadic rats (as he says millions of the creatures) who continued their inarch in a direction towards the slaughter yard, and were soon lost to the bewildered view of the awe-inspired gazer. This, on account of the hitherto unblemished character of our informant, we put forth as a true story.

It would appear, writes " The Loafer " in the Fresi, that feiuale domestics, like good people are scarce. They are a bit curious in their ways sometimes when you have got them. At least I judge so from the following circumstance which I can asure you is a pusitive fact. A friend of mine recently engaged a lady help who, for a consideration, undertook to perform the duties of a general Bervaat. The lady help arrived, and requested to be shown to her apartment'. After a, cursory glance, she said their was no room for her paiuo and sewing machine, and as those were little things she was always accustomed to, she begged to resign the appointment there and then. Anyone requiring a general servant with aesthetic proclivities°can apply to my friend (whose address I shall bo happy to give) if they doubt the truth of the above.

Some little flutter was caused amongst members of the House this week by attention being drawn to a speech made by Dr Wallis iu Auckland, wherein he was reported to have said that "every fourth man iu the House was a political rogue and a trimmer." A large number of representatives thought it incumbent ou them to protest against the use of such language by one of themselves who was absent on leave, and there was quite a marvellous anxiety to prove that the cap fitted no one in particular. Dr Wallis subsequently explained that he used the words iu reference to Legislatures generally. The explanation seems to have beeu looked upon as satisfactory, at least nothing further has been heard of the matter, although the logic of the thing seems open to question. Some people look forward to the world beiug one day destroyed by fire, but the fact that a large company of States and Principalities will be affected by the combustion is not generally expected to mitigate its heat so far as New Zealand in particular is concerned. " Your goodness overpowers me," as the gentleman murmured to the champagne when he coulden't rise from his chair.

An Auckland telegram, dated December 8, to the Post say3 .-—Preparations are bein°made for a great demonstration to Sir George G/ey, who is expected here about next Monday week. A committee has been appointed, and it is suggested that the volunteer inspection, called for next week, be postponed, and the volunteers should form a gnard of honor to Sir George Grey. All classes of the community are euthusiastic over Sir George Grey's success.

The Minister of Education in Victoria, Major Smith, has issued an auti-floggiug circular to teachers. This has been very generally criticised during the discussion on the education vote, but the hoa. gentleman stands to it stoutly. He quoted from the London Spectator to prove that flogging was " dying out," aud he went oa to argue that it is thrf English and not the native born boys who are guilty of " cheekiuess." The boys kept in in the State school last Saturday for misbehaviour numbered 1508, and of this number only one-sixth were native born. Ihis, says Major Smith, is " a grand fact," disproving the allegations made against the boys of the colony. Victoria has its golden Bonanza in a not very small way. In a recent petition against the insertion of certain clauses in the Miniug on Private Property Bill, of Victoria, it was set forth that the Port Phillip Company had obtaiued gold to the value of £1,260,000, and paid £180,000 in dividends since Messrs Lane, VVhyte, and M'Donald had let that company their paddocks, and that the Cluues Company had obtained gold to the value of £90,000 out of the land.

Do you consider your life worth more fchan other people's?" indignantly asked a gentleman of a negro who was the first to leap into a boat from a snagged steamboat on the Mississippi. « It's wuth a-heap more to me, marster," was tie unanswerable reply.