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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1031, 2 February 1882, Page 2

The severest shock of an earthquake felt for a long time occurred yesterday about 3 p.m. No serious damage has been done. Pressure on our space has crowded out our report of the R.M. Court proceedings, the full report of the fete at the Hapera, and much other interesting matter. Mr. Jas. Prendergast, Chief Justice of New Zealand, upon whom Her Majesty has been pleased to confer the honour of knighthood by patent, is the eldest son of the late Mr. Michael Prendergast, Q,. C., by his marriage with Caroline, sister of the late Mr. George Dance, R. A., and was born in 1828. He was educated at St. Paul’s School and at Queen’s College, Cambridge, where he took his bachelor’s degree in 1850. He was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in Easter Term, 1856, and for some years practised as a special pleader. About 1864 he settled in Wellington, New Zealand, wrere he afterwards held the office of AttorneyGeneral, and he was subsequenrly appointed Chief Justice of the Suprieme Court of that colony.”

The following tenders were received yesterday, for the erection of a dwelling house for Mr W. F. Crawford:— R. Houlden £647 0 0 J. Somervell 580 0 0 Forbes & Sealy 548 17 0 W. O Skeet 539 0 0 Harries & Lincoln ... 535 10 0 The tender of Messrs Harries and Lincoln was aceeepted. The practical mercantile analysis of our paraffin mineral lias at last come to hand, which will set at rest all those fears and doubts engendered by the “ dopplerite ” assertion of Dr. Hector. From the enterprise exhibited by the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, the public have been for some time past looking to it to resolve the question, and it is especially creditable that the youngest of the two companies should have taken up the running with spirit. It is only recently that we had to notify the shipment of six casks of paraffin to Melbourne for treatment by Mr. Benies ; the result is that nine hundred and eighty-two pounds have given—of light oils, fifty-four pounds ; kerosene, one hundred and thirty pounds ; lubricating oils, forty pounds; and paraffin, seventy-eight pounds ; consequently the value of one ton of the crude mineral is rated at fifteen pounds eight shillings. The sample sent over is said to have been very inferior to average, but we would infer that more value may be attached to the experiment for that very reason. It is said that beyond the curious, pasty-looking substance of all colors, very few nodules of the native paraffin could be seen. The kerosene which would notyfasA at 157 deg. Fahr., is of considerably more value than those usually sold in the market. Many samples are warranted to 110 deg., and a few up to 120 deg. In Canada tlie warranty required by the railways is a fire test of 150 deg., and a freezing test of 40 deg. below zero. “The Meddler,” writing to the Sydney Mail says : —lt may still be remembered how at the Parliamentary banquet, Sir Henry informed his friends that a great many years ago, when weak, worn, hard up, and weary he picked up a sixpence, and was overjoyed thereat, for it supplied him with that which he needed, bread. It was an affecting tale, but why should the sequel remain unpublished ? The day after the banquet Sir Henry, whilst in the agonies of packing, was summoned to his door to transact, as the servant stated, a little business connected with finance. He found a venerable looking old fellow waiting at the door. “ You are Sir Henry Parkes ?” “ That is my name,” replied the Premier. “ Well said the visitor, “ I am an old colonist, a very old colonist, I admire your frankness, your heartiness, and your courage in grappling with public questions. I called .” “Take a seat, sir, take a seat; an old colonist you say, and doubtless one who has reasons to love this, his adopted -country.” “ You are right, Sir Henry, I have, and before you depart from these shores, take this which may to me be the final opportunity to .’ “ Yes!” “To inform you that it was I who dropped that sixpence you found, that sixpence which although slightly crooked even now had I kept it so long would have been good for at least to glasses of my favourite beverage.” “ Sir,” haughtily interrupted the Premier, “ this is not a time to speak of sueh trifles, so you will please retire.” And tho old man did, muttering some thing about the heat of the weather and the Statute of Limitations.