Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4527, 23 September 1875, Page 2

" Juatitia's" letter is in type, and will appear in our next.

The circuit sittings of the Supreme Court take place on the first Monday in October, not the first Tuesday, as stated yesterday. Silica yesterday a very rapid fall of the barometer has taken place in the South, and information was received this morning that a furious gale was blowing at Roxburgh, the glass there having fallen upwards of half-iui-inch since 10 p.m. Gloomy and threatening weather was generally reported in the South, and urgent telegrams were sent to nearly all Southern stations to expect a westerly gale. The barometer here commenced to fall during the morning, and the wind, which had conic from the north-west about 7 a.m., rapidly increased, and was a fresh gale by 2 p.m. Telegrams received during.the afternoon showed that the glass was still falling. Mr. W. H. "Watt has been duly elected as member of the Education Board for the district of the town of Wanganui, beatiug his opponent, Mr. John Morgan, by 116 to 55. Mr. J. Fleetwood has also been returned a member for the Wangaehu district, his opponent, Mr. Hutchison, the former representative, having retired from the contest. The elections for the Board aro now concluded, and the following is the list of members returned:—Wellington City—Hon. W. Gisbome; Wellington District —Edward Toomath ; Manawatu—John T. Dalrymple, M.P.C.; Rangitikei—Rev. John Boss ; Wangaehu—John Fleetwood ; Wanganui Town—W. H. Watt, M. 8.C.; Wanganui-Waitotara—Hon. C. J. Bharazyn, M.L.C. ; Featherston Henry Bunny, M.H.8.; Masterton—Geo. Beetham, M.P.C. ; Castlepoint—Kev. J. C. Andrew, M.H.R. The first meeting of the now Board is called for Monday, the 4th October, at 11 o'clock.

Swamp lands have become a stock joko in the Legislative Council, and although of a damp nature, as allusions they are often brought out in a manner exceedingly dry. Yesterday the Hon. Dr. Pollen, in moving for leave to introduce two Bills having reference to Messrs. Russell, Whitaker, and the Piako lands, took occasion to mention for the satisfaction of lion, gentlemen and all whom it might concern, that the lands laid no claim to be swampy, and wero in consequence free from suspicion.

A significant discovery was made on board the Teviotdalo the other day, which showed in a startling manner how tho vigilance of the officers on board a ship in taking precautions against fire may bo defeated through the carelessness of an unknown individual over whose actions they have had no control. In the centre of a bale of hay, shipped for the consumption of the stock which the Teviotdale brought out to this colony, was a box of wooden cigar lights (ignited in the same manner as ordinary matches). Of oourso, it is impossible to fix the culpable carelessness on any one individual. As likely a supposition as any appears to be that a careless haymaker dropped it at harvest, little thinking at the time that his carelessness by a train of results might fconsign to a terrible fate some hundreds of his ellow-men, as well aa cause an enormous destruction of property. A meeting of the Wellington Benovolenfc Institution was held in tho Provincial Chambers on Tuesday. Present—Archdeacon Stock (in tho chair), Rev. B. W. Harvey, Rev. W. H. West, Rev. Father Petitjean, Rev. C. DeCastro, Rev. W. Morley, Messrs. J. G-. Holds worth, L. Levy, and tho secretary. The following subscriptions were received : —Bank of New Zealand, £5 ss. ; Mr. K. J. Dowling, £1 Is. ; Messrs. Stevenson and Stuart, £1 Is. ; Mr. W. W. Johnston, £5 ; Mr. J. Joseph, £lO 10s. ; Mr. J. Kebbell, £3 3s. ; Mr. Fife, £1 ; Mr. Meek, £1 Is. ; Mr. J. Dransfield, £1 Is.; Icy (2), £1 Is.

A telegram was received yesterday by Inspector Atchison, to the effect that a child named Susannah Scholes, aged eighteen months, had been accidentally drowned at Petone.

There were no cases down for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning.

A humorou9 letter in the Wairarapa Standard describes a meeting of an imaginary road board, at which no less than thirty-five letters were read complaining of the state of the roads.

The Wellington Literary Association held their usual weekly meeting on Tuesday evening. There was a strong muster of the members of the association, to listen to the essay on " Commerce," read by Mr. Hopkirk. The essay having been read, an animated discussion ensued on the merit's of the question. The association have deternmined to give a musical and literary entertainment early in October next, the particulars of which will be advertised at an early date. The Straits Times of July 3 says :—" A wonderful living specimen of a human being, without arms or, legs, is at present exhibiting himself here (Hongkong). He is an Arab, and it is really astonishing to see his various manoeuvres. He holds a pen in his mouth and writes with it. He can strike a match and light a cigar with almost as great ease as a person who has arms, hands, and fingers. He is accompanied by a native attendant, who feeds him. It is said he can speak several languages. He was boru in Suez, and is about twenty-three years of age. He intends proceeding to Singapore, as a passenger per steamer Japan, this afternoon. He came from Penang more than a fortnight ago per Sharpshooter, and exhibited himself in his cabin on board of that vessel, at the rate of fifty cents, for each spectator," A miserable looking woman, who was brought up at the Melbourne City Police Court under the Vagrant Act, has made statements respecting herself which, if well founded, go to prove the truth of the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction. She states that she is the wife of a London medical practitioner, and that about two years ago she separated from him and came to this colony, he allowing her £52 a-year. That soon after her arrival in Melbourne, and whilst on her way to the agents of the ship she came out in, she fell out of a cab and was taken to a hotel. At this place she was induced to drink, and the habit growing upon her, she speedily found her resources diminishing. She then became an inmate of the Abbotsford Convent, and afterwards endeavored unsuccessfully to obtain a situation as governess. About this period the home remittances ceased, and the downward path was travelled swiftly. Of one disreputable house after another she became an inmate, until at last, stripped almost naked, and cast into the street, a constable took pity on her and brought her to the watchhouse. The unfortunate woman was remanded for seven days. Viscount do Lorgeid, in a speech in the French Assembly, called M. Foucher de Careill a thief; but on account of religious scruples the Viscount will not fight a duel. He had, as he said, made the declaration of Careill's dishonesty on behalf of " a majority of the Deputies of his department." M. Careill required, therefore, that he should assembles the Deputies for whom he spoke, and that they should choose one of their number without religious scruples to give satisfaction. They were assembled, but they compelled Lorgeid to apologise publicly. In consequence of a misunderstanding which occurred last season in the Wairarapa district respecting the price of shearing, several flockowners have agreed this year not to engage any shearers unless an agreement fixing the price is first signed. The Standard says that shearers are plentiful this season, and the rate of 20s. per hundred will be pretty general.

The auction sale of carriages, harness, and horses belonging to the estate of the late Mr. M. W. Jackson will take place at the livery stables next to Mcintosh's New Zealandev Hotel, Manners-street, on Saturday instead of, as formerly advertised, at Mr. Duncan's salerooms.