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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 18, 21 January 1878, Page 2

The Thames Advertiser has the following: — "' We understand that an effort is about to be made to inaugurate a Euneral Reform Association for the Thames. Delegates from the various friendly societies have been invited by the Loyal Waikato Lodge of Oddfellows to meet and discuss the question. It is proposed that each member of a friendly society shall contribute 2s or 2s 6d per annum towards a funeral fund, out of which the cost of all funerals in connection with the Orders shall be borne, and that the utmost economy shall be exercised in the conduct of the obsequies. A case has recently come under our notice where the widow of a member was en itled to receive £20 from the lodge funds, but when the undertaker had received hi 3 charges and incidental expenses had been paid, all that remained to start the widow in life, without the bread-winner, was £3. The necessity for reform is great, and the proposals to relieve the grants by these societies from the enormous deductions to which they are liable on funeral account, cannot fail to meet with the support of the brethren." Recently a very modest young Boston lady, who wanted a pair of garters, addressed the shopman thus : "Itis my desire to obtain a pair of circular elastic appendages, capable of being contracted or expanded by means of oscillating burnished steel appliances that spangle like particles of gold-leaf set with Alaska diamonds, and which are utilised for retaining in proper position the habiliments of the lower extremities, which innate delicacy forbids ue to mention."

Sir George Grey (says the Audkland correspondent of the Lyttelton Times) has been for some time past making arrangements for fitting out a party of Thames miners to go and prospect for gold at New Guinea. He had applied to the Royal Geographical Society to take the responsibility of the party. The last mail brought a letter declining responsibility, and stating that they had given up fitting out expeditions at their own cost, but were willing to grant a subsidy for the proposed object.

A new township is advertised to be sold near Dunedin, and the grandiose name of Plevna has been given to it. The beauties of the spot are advertised in local papers in the following gushing terms.— To those whose occupations are of a sedentary nature, the verdant slopes and fresh air of Plevna would afford a delightful retreat from the countinghouse or workshop of the city. Rangilikei possesses a very old settler in the person of Mr Cockburn, who has now attained the ago of 105 years. He recently lost the use of his right arm, but previously to that he had enjoyed excellent health. One little incident in connection with Sir George Grey's visit to Gisborne is worthy of mention. At the close of his speech from the balcony of the Albion Hotel, a gentleman in the audience below stepped forward and exp essed hir intention to accord the Premier personally a hearty welcome. The speaker was none other than Mr Richard Byrne, who was an orderly to Sir George Grey, the Governor of New Zealand, in 1845 Byrne at the time was sergeant in the 58th Regiment, which was stationed at Koroareki, Bay of Islands. His Excellency came ont in the ship Elphinstone in 1845, when Byrne accompanied him, and the first port of call in NeTf Zealand was Kororareki.

At Singleton, New South Wale 3, a youug girl named A. J. O'Brien, residing at Bridgman, died through fright. Her father had been seized with a violent attack of bleeding at the nose, and the deceased had with others endeavoured to stop it ; finding all their efforts fruitless a doctor was called in, and his skill for some time failed to suggest a remedy. Meanwhile the daughter, terrified at the thought of seeing her father bleed to death, swooned, and in six hours after was a corpse. The bleeding was eventually staunched, and the father, though much weakened, ultimately recovered. Mr. Reader Wood, it is stated, will leave Auckland on the 22nd for a two years' trip to England. He will, we believe, before he leaves, send in to the Speaker the resignation of his seat for Parnell, and on the prospect of a vacancy several gentlemen have been spoken of as possible candidates Mr. Barton Ireland, Mr. li\ ,J. Moss, and Mr. J. M. Dargarille havo been mentioned in public rumours, although we do not know whether cither of these gentlemen has made up his miud to woo the electors, or have even seriously considered the subject. Rumour also has it that Mr. Reader Wood will succeed Sir Julius Yogel as Agent-Geuera[ when the latter retires from his post.— Herald Young New Zealand is developing with remarkable precocity ia the Wude district. At Hadfield's there is a bright-eyed fellow, a little over five years of age, who manages the ferry during the absence of his father, and occasionally puts off with boatloads of si ingles to cutters lying off the river mouth. But though the rising generation in Rodney are being thoroughly trained in bushcraft, we regret to say that they are not all deeply grounded. in the catechism and Scripture history. One lad who preseuted himself at school for the first time was put through a preliminary examination as to his religious training, but the very first question -was a poser. "Bo yon know who Adam was ?" anxiously inquired the teacher. " Oh, yes," replied the young hopeful with great sang f roid, " I know old Adam, he cuts sluuglee up there in the bush !"