Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 135, 8 June 1881, Page 3

. The Turakma Maoris prophesy a two years' famine, Kiel say a the Rangitikei paper, ere quite as explicit as was Joseph to the King of Egypt in telling their pakeha friends how to make provision for the great dearth that is at hand. The AUiance News says that a few years Bgo, teetotal mayors were almost as scarce as black swans or white blackbirds. The scales, however, are falling from the eyes of mayors, as well as other people. There are now nearly 30 teetotal mayors in England and Wales. Such a gathering as the following was never held before :— "The Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Tatham, who is not only an abstainer, but carries his principles mto the festal part af his municipal functions, on a recent evening entertained at a banquet a large number of teetotal mayors of the United Kingdom. There were present— l he Lord Mayor of York, the Mayors of Winchester, Worcester, Scarborough, Huddersfleld, Brecon, Ponterfact, Gateshead, and Grantham. Sir E. Baines and a large number of municipal dignitaries were also present. All the speakers congratulated the Mayor of Leeds on the bold course he had taken during his mayoralty. A contemporary in a we 1-considered papei f says the Home Ntos) discusses the prospects of tea and silk culture if introduced into New Zealand, and with so much cogency that it seems likely these industries will soon be undertaken there on a large scale. The climate and all the conditions are apparently very favourable to both. The mulberry tree thrives well, especially about Auckland, and would probably, if largely grown m the colony, prosper even better than in China. In that country the silk harvest lasts about six i weeks, during which seven broods of worms, or * educations,'* as they are technically termed, come to maturity. Owing to the superiority of the New Zealand climate the silk harvest would be more copious and probably longer. But in no case could it be extended beyond three months. It is on this account that those interested in the question suggest that tea culture should be carried on concurrently with that of the Bilkworm and his favorite tree. Here, again, the conditions are most favorable. It is alleged that parts of Auckland greatly resemble the districts of China in which these industries prosper most. Although the point is not proved, tea ought to grow well in the former, because, the mulberry does and Oriental scientists have laid it down as a rule that « where the mulberry grows freely, there tea will also thrive. A terrible accident occured at the Riverdon Steel Works of Messrs. "Vickers, bons, and Co , Sheffield. While thirty labourer *ere dragging a large oval ladle from a furnace to the moulds m the melting-house, a part of the iron grating gave way, and the near rails upon which the waggon was running fell about twelve inches, causing the ladle to tilt suddenly to one side. The cudden tip caused about 25cwt of molten steel to Bplash out of the ladle and fall upon several of the castiog-men. The liquid steel spread all round the tramway, and there was such a cloud of sfceam that it was at first difficult to ascertain the extent of the accident. A laborer was, however, observed trying to get out of the flames. His clothes were entirely bnrnt away, and he was horribly iDiured by the fire. His fellow workmen ran to him, wrapped their coats about him* and saved him from instant death, but the doctors gave no hope of hie recovery. Aa the steam cleared away another castingman was.observed standing in the midst of the molten steel. In consequence of the great heat it was impossible to reach him at once, but there the man stood for some seconds burning to death, apparently beyond aid. His clothes were entirely destroyed by the fire, and his body was terribly charred. Several attempts were made to rescue him. At length two men laid thick planks acrots the burning mass of metal, and succeeded id dragging him away. The man was still alive! but the suffering he had undergone had evidently deranged his brain, and he soon died. Another laborer was also frightfully burned on the legs, and was taken to the infirmary.