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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIIL, Issue 211, 15 October 1878, Page 2

The following items are clipped from the Lytelton Times :—" It's an ill wind,' &c. One portion of the loss caused by the floods will be held as a gaiu. The farmers in Southland will be largely freed from their pests— the rabbits. Mr Shand informs the Southland Times " that the half-submerged scrub on the New River banks is literally alive with these pests : and the settlers, as usual, are making a good use of the opportunity, and by dint of wading, riding, and swimming, are carrying on a wholesale slaughter. The knolls on the flat are now islands, and on these ' bunny' is congregated in flocks. Grand sport is anticipated when the flood subsides sufficiently to give access to the thicket preserves."— Several witnesses were called yesterday in one case at the Supreme Court, who gave a convicted prisoner what His Honor called " an exemplary character." Yet the prisoner had been convicted of larceny once, and of drunkenness several times.— Last night two juryoien were holding out against ten, and in consequence the Judge directed them to retire to their room. Application was made ou their part that they might be allowed some water. His Honor said, with marked emphasis on the last word, " Yes, they may have water." Those who had noticed the condition of one of the jurymen believed that there was a very decided meaning in his Honor's emphasis. — The " land fever" which was raging a few months ago with such intensity appears to be almost entirely exhausted. On Saturday the auction-room of Messrs Matson and Co. held such a poor atteudance at the time appoiuted for the land sales, that Done of the sections which had been advertised were offered. — A witness yesterday when rebuked for not giving direct answers to the questions put to her, excused herself on the score that she was suffering from a sore throat ' The Port's Dunedin correspondent says:— A story of the disappearance of 130 ouuees of gold is going the round. The gold was the result of a washing-up in a claim in the vicinity of Kirkeburn, Cromwell, and not cariua to have such wealth about his person or premises, the managing partner snugly stowed it away among the rocks, adjacent to a pig-stye, till a more convenient season. To his dismaj-, on going to his " plant " some time afterwards, it had disappeared, and no trace of it was to be found. After much vain searching the voracious porkers were slaughtered, with the hope that they might have become the innocent depository of the treasure. But the result was very unsatisfactory, and the loss is still veiled in mystery. Ministers (says the Post of Saturday) hope to bring the session to a. clpsg ne^t wee!?. Our owq Jmprpssjon \s that it will take several days longer to get through the business on the Order Paper, There are a number of motions blocking the way to Committee of Supply, whloh at an earlier period of the session would cause lengthy debates, but members are anxious to get away, andjwill hardly waste time in discussing questions which can be just as welt disposed of next session.

The Chronicle's Duuedin correspondent telegraphs as follo\\-s:~lu February last a party of fourteen men were engaged at Port Chalmers by Mr $!der, a J/.P., aud. qne qr two other speculators ' to proceed to, Macquarrie Island and capture sea elephants. They returned, to the relief of their anxious friends, a few weeks ago. To-day one of the expedition sought $q recover |rqru the owner for bread* o| agreement iu not supplying tiiem with provisions. Several of the party gave evidence that it was agreed a vessel was to be sent to renew their supplies ia May last. In that month a terrible sea swept away their hut, most of their oil, and some provisions. Ever since they had three biscuits daily, which were soaked in coffee, and the plaintiff became so weak that he could scarcely cra^vj. Judgment was reserved,. A revelation, by which housekeepers may profit, appears in the Lyttelton 'limes. At the meeting of the Hqspital and Charitable Aid Uoard Uv Turubull said that the system of giving fat (p the cook, of the hospital as her perquistG had led to gross abuses. Joints of meat had beea dried up until the bones projected from the sorry remnant, and all the nutriment had been destroyed, iu the endeavour to extract as much fat as possible. Outsiders were accustomed to go to the hospital cook to purchase dripping. A new cook has to be obtained at the present time, au<j. the discussion led to fne determination that, if a really fjrst-cjasa qne could b.e obtained, a higher salary should be giveni The Lytteiton Times informs us that during the month of September, 121 large loads amounting to 21,780 cubic yards, or 30,250 tons, have been reiuoved from t^at harbor Py Wans P? d.rpdgjug. The following story is guaranteed to me as a faot, and the time of the action is stated to have been this week (writes "Atticus" iu the Melbourne Leader). At a ball a gentleman missed his wife for some time, but came suddenly on her in a dimly lit room in an out-of the-way part of the house. Appearances were very much against her. A gentleman had his arm round her waist, one of her hands rested }or:nglj on l]is shoulder, and, the other wa3 clasped' in \\\s. '^ut she didn't look' in the leust embarrassed, and withdut moving from the sofa on which she sat, explained the position to her husband. "My dear," she saiil, >f this is Mr. . I promised him a dance, but I was really too tired to keep my word. ,So instead, I'm giving him a still Kulti." ' ! ' ■ '

. The N. Z. Time* of Saturday says.— There was almost a warm discussion in the Legislative Council yesterday on a motion by Mr Bonar for leave of absence' for himself. Colonel Brett said that to be consistent he muss oppose leave being granted to his hon. friend;— Why, things were coming to that pass that a member who was owner of an interesting baby would ask for leave, on urgent private affairs, to go home to look at it.

For some inscrutable reason (says the G. It Argus)— possibly because the Public Works Department does not provide parasols or umbrellas— the meu engaged on the harbor works were yesterday knocked off work, a few drops of rain having fallen. The way in which these works are being carried on is disgusting, wherever the blame may lie. Broadway, Reefton, says the Herald, presented an unusually bustling appearance on Friday owing to the arrival of the over-due waggons. At one time there were assembled as many as seventeen waggons and other vehicles, with 72 horses attached, discharging and removing freight. Their arrival was most opportune, the township being almost out of flour and other perishable commercial necessaries.