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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 153, 29 June 1881, Page 1

A Wakm Place. -r-The extraordinary degree of heat found in the depths of the great Comstock mine, Nevada, bas drawn a good deal of attention to the causes of internal beat in the mines end springs. The particular case is one which it is not possible to explain on any general theory of increase of temperature in proportion to depth, as it is obviously looal, an>3, therefore due to local conditions. The explanation offered ie, that the hrat is produced by the decomposition of the deposits of of iron pyrites found in tbe mine. A writer in i he Virginia Enter' prise, published in tbe capital of Nevada, affirms that over the whole area of country which is underlain by the iron pyrites deposits a process of slow combustion is in operation, and can be traced by the appearance of the hot springs which make their way to, the surface. He also asserts that there Breiodicationßlhatin par is of the country tbe combustion has burned out. As it Fpreads, according to this writer, its advance is shown by the breaking out; of new springe of hot water and steam, and tbe burning out is proved by the cessation of (bis activity, acd the disappearance of the springs. The following on this subject is worth quoting '•— "At Steamboat Springs we probably see a big mineial vein (like the Comstock) in process of formation. Ages ago there was probably a line of hot springs along the course of the Compfock. Tbe mines of Europe and Mexico, which are comparatively cold a r - great depths, are undoubtedly ages: Bed ages older than tbe Comstock. The Comstock is probably the youngest; mine in any part of tbe world that ia known or beirg worked. Here, down, in our lower levels, we are following close upon the heels of nature — getting well down into her workshop. As to the heat-generating power of sulpur and iron, those who desire.- to do bo may satisfy themselves. Take a few pounds of iron filings, borings, and i drillings from a machine shop, wet I them, and mix, in a pound or two of sulphur, then tamp the mixture firmly ! into a hole in tbe ground— like a post) hole— covering it with two or three inches of dirt, and in a short time there | will be a miniature volcano, the batch ! of iron and sulphur taking fire spon- j taneously;" A Bomantic Story. — From pn \ Auckland paper we learn that a party ; of sportsmen recently proceeded to; Whangarej to have a few days' shoof- ; ing, and amongst them was Mr E. P. j Gribbdn, the Samoßn ■ trader. On reaching the magnificent waterfalls of the district on Saturday ; morning, Mr Gribbon was co : delighted with' their grandeur that he dismounted his steed, and, having stepped too close to tbe edge,' he was suddenly precipitated down the face of the clifj, a distance of about 30 feet, when he was suddtn'y caught by a brush bramble, and held therein. Had he gone to tbe bottom; be would have been, killed; instantaneously, aa the total distance is about 150 feet, and the bottom very 1 rugged; besides haying deep water occasioned, by tbjß: rfajle.^ Mr .Qribbon's comrades experienced ; considerable difficully in bringing hjtri* to the; sttffaoe 1 again, and tht,y carefully renjiqvid.hlm' tp r the n'parJßft ,farmbousei; wjjeje he .recovered consciousness^ and was waited upon by a iyoutig' laflj. Accord frig-to ihe^nblipbe^accoan'tj Mr £nbbod Wfffi '■ struck' with the elegant mapner, dovelike modesty,. and attentiveness of the farmer's daughter, and as 'he was a bachelor in want of 0ne,.t0.-Bbate woes and|florro«(B, he popped 'the ques-r tion, offering hisjbajlchand heart.at the same time,' -and after due deliberation' with the parents Was accepljeti," 1 .^s the parity bad to return, to. to^n by the ' Argyle^ on Monday morning, at 7.30, no time was to be lost. The gallant Captain (Crawford was first'eommunida' ted Vfyb,; to see whet her ; be would dc-i tain tbe steamer until 8 30, which he very good-naturedly did. Mrs Fuller, of the Settlers' Hotel, agreed to have breakfast ready at 4 a.m., and the parson was engaged for 8 o'clock on Monday morning. After breakfast dancing was indulged 1 in up to 7.30 a.m., and the pprgpn arrived at 8 o'clopk, when the two lovers, were united in tbe bonds of matrimony. Tbe 8.8. ' Argyle ' wes covered with bunting from etem to stern in hpn^r of tlie event. : ]; iks , W*an gleris «$? Ga'mßridjre" ttywm i »»c«tfttfldi ttohbßcall: I yntfbbl «&^