GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4439, 11 June 1875, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

Plorentino, an Italian, who once fought a duel with Amedee Achai-d and wounded him, said that on the morning of the duel he had prayed to the Holy Virgin that he might wound his adversary, and that " his success was, no doubt, due to that circumstance." The great pigeon-shooting competition at Nice has resulted this year in the victory of an Englishman, Captain Aubrey Patton, who beat Sir William Johnstone and the Comte Bernard de Montesquiou by one pigeon. The prize is 20,000 f. and a work of art valued at 300 f. At the last Oxford and Cambridge sports, held at Lillie Bridge in the presence of 10,000 spectators, the University athletes completely eclipsed the times and distances of previous meetings. For instance, Mr. G. H. Hales, of Cambridge, threw the 161 b. hammer 127 ft. (the longest amateur throw on record) ; Mr. C. C. Woodland, of Cambridge, won the 100yds. race in 10 2-ssec; Mr. N.-G. Glazebrook, of Oxford, won the running high jump by clearing oft. 9£in.; Mr. E. A. Sandford, of Oxford, won the mile race in 4min. Zi <l-ssec; Mr. A. B. Loder, of Cambridge, won the 120yds. hurdle race in 16 4-15 sec.; Mr. S. S. Brown, of Cambridge, put the 161 b. weight 36ft. 2in.; Mr. H. K. Upcher, of Oxford, cleared 21ft. OJin. in the long jump ; and Mr. W. R. H. Stevenson, of Oxford, won the three mile race in 15min. 30 2-ssec, being a magnificent performance. Oxford won six events to three. The committee of the Wellington Athletic Club would profit by a perusal of the reports of some of these meetings. As has frequently been pointed out in these columns, the strictest attention should be paid to times and distances, accuracy and reliability being the principal feature in connection with these clubs. The above account shows how careful the University clubs are in this respect. A most remarkable and brutal case, showing the wonderful life-sustaining powers of a dog, has been related to the licndiyo Advertiser. A resident of Victoria Hill was the owner of what is known as a cattle dog, and exactly five weeks ago on Monday be determined on destroying it, as it was the cause of a great deal of annoyance to the neighbors. First of all the dog was kept under water for a period, but this not proving effectual in putting an end to its existence, a rope was procured, which was fastened round the dog's neck, and he was thrown from a good height with a view of breaking his neck. There was apparently only the slightest animation in the animal, and thinking that a fall down a 90ft. shaft adjacent would be the means of killing him, he was immediately thrown in. Eor the last week or two the attention of passers-by had been attracted by hearing a dog's bark in the shaft, but it was not until Sunday that some of the residents . agreed to go down and ascertain whence the unwonted sounds proceeded. Accordingly one of the number descended the shaft, and to his great astonishment found that the animal was the one which five weeks before he had seen half drowned, hung, and then thrown down the shaft. There was an old drive leading from the shaft, towards the end of which there was no water, and here it would seem the dog had kept himself. There was no sign of food whatever in the shaft, and the unfortunate animal was worn almost to a skeleton. Upon being brought to the surface and sot at liberty, he set off at a smart pace for his old home. The surprise and wonder of his owner can better be imagined than described. The borough of St. Ives rejoices in the possession of a single constable only —who must be the most " active," if not the most intelligent police officer in the three kingdoms. From the reports of the inspectors of constabulary very many curious facts may be derived, and, amongst others, some particulars of this Cornish official, and his multitudinous duties. This solitary officer has to exercise all the vigilance and übiquity, both by day and night, which the care of 7000 persons on an area of 1812 acres may necessitate. It would seem, however, that the authorities of the Cornish borough consider even this task too light to absorb the energies of this remarkable man, who, in consequence, is further charged with the serving of summonses, the execution of wan-ants, and the collection of market tolls, besides the superintendence of fire engines, and the safe custody of his prisoners when he has any. From all which it is pretty clear that St. Ives is a most exemplary borough, or that lawless practitioners have a remarkably easy time of it within its boundaries.— Licensed Victuallers' Guardian. Cricket for Ladies.—A ladies' cricket match which took place a week or two ago at Sandhurst (Victoria), proved a great success. In describing it a local paper says :—"There were two special features in the day's play ; the one; the batting of Miss Midwinter ; the other, the bowling of Miss Gorber. The former young lady has comparatively all her brother's mastery of the ball at the-wickets. Her defence is good, and she is besides a very powerful hitter. She made one clean drive for four yesterday, under the chains, which even Beswick might have envied. Nor was the bowling opposed to her at all to be despised, for Miss Gorber has pitch, pace—when she wants it —and patience. Almost always on the spot, she varies her bowling with the astuteness of a veteran like Willis, and her pace with tho variety of a demon liko Allan. Indeed, Miss Gerber, with a good field behind her, would be a dangerous opponent anywhere. Her fielding,

too, was excessively good. There were numerous other points in the play which would call for comment were it not that in these cases to particularise is to be invidious. With regard to the match, indeed, Shakespeare might be quoted, and one may be alio wed—paraphrasing him slightly—to say, ' For its own person it beggared all description.' No one could have watched the healthful glow on the cheeks of the young ladies who were engaged in the match yesterday without feeling assured that cricket, carried out purely and simply, is a game as conducive to health as anything, and, moreover, a game as easily played by ladies, as croquet. During the whole day's play there was no show of ungracefulness. Of course, at times the field got disorganised, and long-leg found herself in a place more like mid-off, but still the mistakes made were few and by no means frequent. At point, .the two ladies who filled the position for their respective teams were especially good ; while in the bowling department it is doubtful whether a second eleven of the B.U.C.C. could excel the precision and judgment of Miss Gerber and the other ladies who trundled at the wickets—and with good success too. Catches were 'like angels' visits, few arid far between;' but then the chances given were neither numerous nor easy. So it may be said that the Ladies' Cricket Match of 1875 was a grand success."