Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 51, 28 February 1879, Page 2

m.l_ii _ -im.«->».n^fji.^^> The Slawell Chronicle says : — We are sorry to learn that a large number of the farmers in this district are anxious to sell their holdings, with a view of emigrating to some of the other colouies. They say it is impossible to live on 320 acres, as matters are at present, the cost of labor being so dear, and the price of wheat so cheap. On a recent date one gentleman had offers to sell from no less than five selectors. Most, if not all of these have money advanced on their holdings, and the high rate of interest they are compelled to pay is one of the heaviest burdens they have to bear. This, with other unfortunate conditions, continue to make, in their estimation at least, Victoria anything but a desirable place in which to establish their homes." In the Wairarapa district a few days ago, says a contemporay, a startling incident occurred to a storekeeper. He slept in a bedroom adjoining the shop, and was waked up shortly after miduight by hearing a wineglass fall to the grouud, and light footsteps in the shop. He at once jumped out of bed, and seizing a loaded gun which was always kept handy, threw open his bedroom door, and saw walking towards him a slim figure wrapt in a white garment. He shouted out " Stop !" and had levelled his gun, when he heard a loud scream, and upon questioning ) the person,, found that she was the daughter \ of a neighbouring settler who was addicted to the habit of walking in her sleep. She had risen from her bed at the dead of the bight, aad wrapping herself in a sheet, walked upwards of fifty yards, and then entered the shop through a door which was left unlocked. She had been known to light a lamp and walk carefully down with it in her hand, and after getting some article go back to bed again, first placing the lamp on the same spot and putting it out. All this she had done while ia a condition of somnambulism.